Formation of gold and iron oxide nanoparticles encapsulated in boron nitride sheets

Abstract

Boron nitride nanocapsules with gold and iron oxide nanoparticles were produced by arc melting in a nitrogen gas atmosphere using a tungsten electrode and a boron-based mixture powder. High-resolution electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy showed that the gold and iron oxide nanoparticles were encapsulated in the boron nitride sheets. The present work indicates that conducting and magnetic nanoparticles surrounded by insulating boron nitride sheets can be produced by the ordinary arc-melting method.