Method for making nanotubes and nanoparticles

A method for producing nano-scale particles and tubes comprising BN, BC.sub.2 N, or BC.sub.3, or a combination thereof, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing an initial ambient nitrogen gas environment in a vacuum chamber of about 650 torr.
• b) providing a compound anode;
• c) cooling a cathode by circulating coolant through a cooling core of the cathode;
• d) applying a voltage between about 1 and about 100 volts across the anode and the cooled cathode;
• and
• e) collecting a product formed in an arc region between the anode and the cathode and deposited on the electrodes.

A method for producing nano-scale particles and tubes, comprising essentially materials chosen from the group comprising BN, BC.sub.2 N, or BC.sub.3, or a combination thereof, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing an ambient gas environment in a vacuum chamber;
• b) providing a compound anode wherein the compound anode comprises a rod of boron nitride inserted into a hollow first electrode;
• and
• c) applying a voltage, between the first electrode and a second electrode, sufficient to generate an arc in an arc region, to form the nano-scale particles or tubes from the boron nitride.