Heterogeneous solidification of aluminum on boron-nitride nanotube

Molecular dynamics simulations are carried out to examine the heterogeneous solidification of aluminum solution seeded by foreign boron-nitride nanotubes (BNNTs). The final structure indicates noticeably that Al atoms are concentrated to form incredible hierarchical nanostructures composed of coaxial and equidistant cylindrical shells with the BNNTs as the heterogeneous core. The structures of so-formed Al cylinders show strict structural matching and strong structural relevance with BNNTs. Heterogeneous solidification occurred on BNNTs follows a spiral nucleating mechanism. Heredity effect of these hollow cylinders can be clearly observed during the heterogeneous nucleation. The uniform internal potential field around BNNTs is found to be responsible for the formation of the coaxial cylindrical Al shells. © 2010 World Scientific Publishing Company.