Patent ID: 8673120
Filing Date: 2014-03-18
Classification: B01J,B82Y,C01B,C04B

Abstract:
1. A process for producing boron nitride nanotubes, the process comprising the steps: a. providing a boron ball target, a first laser beam having an adjustable power level and a gas flow comprising nitrogen; b. positioning the boron ball target in a reaction position above the first laser beam and in the gas flow, the reaction position comprising a vertical reaction position and a horizontal reaction position; c. adjusting the power level of the first laser beam to provide sufficient force from the first laser beam to the boron ball target to balance the force of gravity and the force of a light from above the boron ball target acting downward on the boron ball target and maintain the boron ball target in the vertical reaction position; d. heating the boron ball target with the first laser beam wherein the heating evaporates a portion of the boron ball target and forms a boron vapor plume; e. adjusting the power level of the first laser beam to maintain the heated boron ball target balanced in the reaction position as the boron vapor plume moves upward from the boron ball target; f. providing at least one second laser beam positioned above and to the side of the boron ball target, wherein the at least one second laser beam exerts a second laser beam force on the boron ball target to maintain the boron ball target in the horizontal reaction position; and g. forming a plurality of boron nitride nanotubes as the upward moving boron vapor plume contacts the nitrogen in the gas flow.