Recent advancements in boron nitride nanotubes.

This article provides a concise review of the recent research advancements in boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) with a comprehensive list of references. As the motivation of the field, we first summarize some of the attractive properties and potential applications of BNNTs. Then, latest discoveries on the properties, applications, and synthesis of BNNTs are discussed. In particular, we focus on low-temperature and patterned growth, and mass production of BNNTs, since these are the major challenges that have hindered investigation of the properties and application of BNNTs for the past decade. Finally, perspectives of future research on BNNTs are discussed.