Interaction of DNA-Complexed Boron Nitride Nanotubes and Cosolvents Impacts Dispersion and Length Characteristics.

Processing boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) for applications ranging from nanomedicine to electronics generally requires dispersions of nanotubes that are stable in various compounds and solvents. We show that alcohol/water cosolvents, particularly isopropyl alcohol (IPA), are essential for the complexation of BNNTs with DNA under mild bath sonication. The resulting DNA-wrapped BNNT complexes are highly stable during purification and solvent exchange from cosolvents to water, providing potential for the versatile liquid-phase processing of BNNTs.