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Abstract: Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) particles including hollow spheres (with a proportion of ~30–40%) and nanotubes (10%) have been synthesized by using sodium fluoroborate and sodium azide at 450°C for 20h. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) studies show that the as-obtained BN hollow particles are crystalline. The total specific surface area of the product calculated from Brunauer–Emmentt–Teller (BET) absorption measurement is 89.79m2/g, indicating that it may be utilized as a promising candidate for hydrogen storage container or catalyst. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) result reveals its excellent thermal stability below 800°C. Its possible growth mechanism and the effects of reaction parameters were also briefly discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The direct polyol method is used to prepare silver bismuth sulfide AgBiS2 nanorods. X-ray powder diffraction patterns indicate that AgBiS2 is cubic with a cell constant a=5.651 A˚. Transmission electron microscopy images reveal that the product consists of uniform rod-like crystals with diameters of about 40 nm and lengths up to 10 μm. A possible formation mechanism of silver bismuth sulfide is proposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]