Spin Properties of Chiral (7, n2) BN Nanotubes

Using the nonempirical relativistic augmented cylindrical wave method, the electronic structure of single-walled (n₁, n₂) BN nanotubes with n₁ = 7 and 6 ≥ n₂ ≥ 1 has been calculated as a function of chirality and spin. All nanotubes are wide-bandgap semiconductors with optical gaps within 3.6–4.6 eV and spin–orbit splittings of the valence band top and the conduction band minimum of 0.15–0.004 meV. The spin splitting energies in right- and left-handed nanotubes coincide, and the spin directions are opposite. The (7, 1) nanotube is most suitable for selective spin transport of electrons, which can find application in spintronics elements.