Our paper titled “Improving Gas Separation Performance by Boron Nitride Nanotubes” has been published online in the journal “Materials Today Communications”, accessible at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcomm.2024.110761
A systematic comparison of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in gas separation systems was conducted using molecular simulations. Results at 298 K and 2 MPa show BNNTs consistently outperform CNTs in selectivity for CH4/N2, CO2/CH4, and CO2/N2 mixtures. For CO2/CH4, BNNTs reach a selectivity of 350 at a 0.48 nm radius, compared to 14 for CNTs. In the CO2/N2 system, BNNTs achieve a selectivity of 969, far exceeding CNTs’ 69. BNNTs also saturate CF4 adsorption at 0.04 MPa with 2.7 mmol/g capacity, though CNTs exhibit better N2 adsorption. Chiral configurations, specifically (11,11) and (7,7), were recommended for optimal gas separation. The study highlights BNNTs’ superior selectivity for CO2 and CF4, driven by their unique structural and interaction characteristics, positioning them as promising materials for gas adsorption and separation.
Materials Today Communications is a rapid-publication, multi-disciplinary journal focused on materials science. It publishes research that explores the structure-property relationships of materials, using various characterization techniques to understand nano-, micro-, and macro-scale effects on properties like mechanical, electronic, and chemical behaviors. The journal welcomes studies that apply innovative methods to develop materials with practical applications, addressing current societal challenges. Articles are evaluated based on quality, rather than specific topic areas, under a ‘sound science’ approach. As of 2024, the journal boasts an impact factor of 3.7.