Boron Nitride Nanostructures: Fabrication, Functionalization and Applications

Abstract

Boron nitride (BN) structures are featured by their excellent thermal and chemical stability and unique electronic and optical properties. However, the lack of controlled synthesis of quality samples and the electrically insulating property largely prevent realizing the full potential of BN nanostructures. A comprehensive overview of the current status of the synthesis of two-dimensional hexagonal BN sheets, three dimensional porous hexagonal BN materials and BN-involved heterostructures is provided, highlighting the advantages of different synthetic methods. In addition, structural characterization, functionalizations and prospective applications of hexagonal BN sheets are intensively discussed. One-dimensional BN nanoribbons and nanotubes are then discussed in terms of structure, fabrication and functionality. In particular, the existing routes in pursuit of tunable electronic and magnetic properties in various BN structures are surveyed, calling upon synergetic experimental and theoretical efforts to address the challenges for pioneering the applications of BN into functional devices. Finally, the progress in BN superstructures and novel B/N nanostructures is also briefly introduced.

Computational Predictions for Single Chain Chalcogenide-Based One-Dimensional Materials

“…For carbon nanotubes, semiconducting or metallic tubes are possible depending on a tube’s bonding topology. Boron-nitride nanotubes [15] and other nanotubes have been fabricated and studied. Moreover, wires with nanometer scale diameters have also been grown using Si [16], Se [17] and GaAsSb [18], to name a few.…”

Construction of a Nanoporous Highly Crystalline Hexagonal Boron Nitride from an Amorphous Precursor for Catalytic Dehydrogenation

“…[2,[8][9][10] To date,H ermans et al reported that bulk h-BN and boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT) exhibited unique and highly efficient catalytic properties for the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane,resulting in great selectivity to olefins (79 % propene and 12 %e thene at 14 %p ropane conversion). [14,15] Our group previously presented an efficient strategy for the scalable synthesis of few-layered h-BNNS using agas exfoliation of bulk h-BN in liquid N 2 . Thet hickness of the h-BN materials (bulk vs.f ew layered) also had asignificant effect on their properties.Generally,few layered h-BNNS are preferred, which are mostly prepared via either as olid-phase mechanical method [13] or liquid-phase exfoliation.…”

“…Thet hickness of the h-BN materials (bulk vs.f ew layered) also had asignificant effect on their properties.Generally,few layered h-BNNS are preferred, which are mostly prepared via either as olid-phase mechanical method [13] or liquid-phase exfoliation. [15,17] Compared with amorphous materials,t heir highly crystalline counterparts have ordered structures and fewer defects,t hus leading to enhanced performance in optoelectronics and catalysis, [18] as shown by the significant development of crystalline metalorganic framework (MOF) nanosheets, [19] and 2D covalent organic frameworks (COFs). [16] However, the final few-layered h-BNNS obtained through these approaches often suffer from low surface areas or amorphous/low crystalline structures.…”

“…Thet hickness of the h-BN materials (bulk vs.f ew layered) also had asignificant effect on their properties.Generally,few layered h-BNNS are preferred, which are mostly prepared via either as olid-phase mechanical method [13] or liquid-phase exfoliation. [14,15] Our group previously presented an efficient strategy for the scalable synthesis of few-layered h-BNNS using agas exfoliation of bulk h-BN in liquid N 2 . [16] However, the final few-layered h-BNNS obtained through these approaches often suffer from low surface areas or amorphous/low crystalline structures.…”

“…[16] However, the final few-layered h-BNNS obtained through these approaches often suffer from low surface areas or amorphous/low crystalline structures. [15,17] Compared with amorphous materials,t heir highly crystalline counterparts have ordered structures and fewer defects,t hus leading to enhanced performance in optoelectronics and catalysis, [18] as shown by the significant development of crystalline metalorganic framework (MOF) nanosheets, [19] and 2D covalent organic frameworks (COFs). [20] In addition, the high crystallinity makes their structures easier to be determined by using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM).…”