Abstract
Various aspects of storage and unusual behavior of gases in Boron Nitride (BN) nanostructures were analyzed using several state-of-the-art techniques: high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy-filtered electron microscopy and electron-energy loss spectroscopy. Hydrogen uptake was studied in well-structured BN nanotubes, nanofibers and collapsed nanotubes. Up to 4.2 wt.% of hydrogen was adsorbed in the latter nanostructure making it highly promising for novel ultra-light hydrogen accumulators. Nitrogen in its unusual solid form was discovered in BN nanocages with dimensions of 50-100 nm. Unique P-T conditions, i.e. super-high pressure of up to 2 GPa, inside the cages were assigned for this phenomenon. Famous oxygen-release compound, namely MgO2, was filled into open-ended BN nanotubes of several tens nm in diameter. Under moderate heating the compound transformed to stable MgO oxide through releasing pure oxygen. Thus the first nanoscale oxygen burner-generator has become available.
