Electronic structure of octagonal boron nitride nanotubes

The effect of an octagonal lattice configuration on a boron nitride nanotube is explored using first principle calculations. Calculations show that the formational energy of an octagonal boron nitride nanotube (o‐BNNT) is an exothermic reaction. Boron and nitrogen atoms within an o‐BNNT have an average of 2.88 electrons and 9.09 electrons, respectively, indicating ionic‐like bonding. In addition, the electronic structure of the octagonal boron nitride nanotube shows semiconductive properties, while h‐BNNT is reported to be an insulator. Additional o‐BNNTs with varying diameters are calculated where the results suggest that the diameter has an effect on the binding energy and bandgap of the o‐BNNT. The defect sites of the o‐BNNT are reactive against hydrogen where a boron defect is particularly reactive. Thus, this work suggests that physical and chemical properties of a boron nitride nanotube can be tailored and tuned by controlling the lattice configuration of the nanotube.     

Ab initio calculations of structure and stability of small boron nitride clusters

Clusters of boron nitride B_xN_x (x = 1–4, 12, 15, 30) were investigated by the Hartree-Fock and density functional methods using the 6-31G* basis. It was found that linear, cyclic, and shell structures are stable against minor deformations of the B_xN_x cluster. Inclusion of electron correlation in calculation markedly changes the electron density distribution and the structure of the clusters.     

Electronic structure of GaN nanotubes

Nanotube properties are strongly dependent on their structures. In this study, gallium nitride nanotubes (GaNNTs) are analyzed in armchair and zigzag conformations. The wurtzite GaN (0001) surface is used to model the nanotubes. Geometry optimization is performed at the PM7 semiempirical level, and subsequent single-point energy calculations are carried out via Hartree–Fock and B3LYP methods, using the 6-311G basis set. Semiempirical and ab initio methods are used to obtain strain energy, charge distribution, dipole moment, |HOMO-LUMO| gap energy, density of states and orbital contribution. The gap energy of the armchair structure is 3.82 eV, whereas that of the zigzag structure is 3.92 eV, in agreement with experimental data.     

Surface study of hexagonal boron nitride powder by diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

The surface chemistry of hexagonal boron nitride powder is examined. Surface functional groups are found to consist of a mixture of primary and secondary amine groups as well as hydroxyl groups. The surface has a net basic character indicating that the amine contribution to the overall surface chemistry is greater than that of the acidic hydroxyl contribution. A chemical surface treatment also is performed to modify the surface chemistry of hexagonal boron nitride powder. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electronic and vibrational hyperpolarizabilities of alkali- and alkaline-earth-doped boron nitride nanotubes

This work reports the results of the vibrational corrections and frequency dependence to the first hyperpolarizabilities of the alkali- and alkaline-earth-doped boron nitride nanotubes. The electronic contributions were computed by means of the density functional theory with the M06-2X functional, and the vibrational corrections were calculated using the perturbation theoretical method and the field-induced coordinates methodology. The results for the electronic contribution show that such materials exhibit large first hyperpolarizabilities and electride characteristic. We also show that the distribution of the excess electron, which originates from the doping atoms, plays an important role in the large electronic hyperpolarizabilities (β^el). Moreover, our findings strongly indicate that the effect of vibrations on the hyperpolarizabilities can be quite important and can even be much larger than the electronic counterpart.     

Synthesis and morphology control of nanocrystalline boron nitride

Nanocrystalline boron nitride (BN) with needle-like and hollow spherical morphology has been synthesized by nitriding of MgB₂ with NH₄Cl and NH₄Cl-NaN₃, respectively. The amount of NaN₃ has an obvious effect on the size of the hollow spheres. The samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectra, and transmission electron microscopy. The possible mechanism of morphology control is also discussed.     

Investigation of the boron nitride/polybenzoxazine interphase

The influence of a hexagonal boron nitride powder surface on the polymerization of a benzoxazine monomer is examined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). By varying the thickness of the benzoxazine coatings on boron nitride particles, a distinct influence of the surface substrate on the polymerization reaction could be observed. At a coating thickness calculated to be on the order of a monolayer, the heat of reaction is reduced, while the exothermic peak temperature and peak width at half height are increased relative to that of the neat resin values. The reduced heat of reaction and increased exothermic peak temperature indicate that the boron nitride surface is inhibiting the benzoxazine polymerization reaction. In the intermediate coating thickness region, the heat of reaction increases and the exothermic peak temperature and peak width at half height decrease with increasing coating thickness. With even thicker coatings, the heat of reaction and exothermic peak temperature and peak width at half height reach values corresponding to that of the neat resin and no longer change with thickness. In addition, the influence of surface treated boron nitride particles on the thermal polymerization behavior, as well as the effect of the surface treatment on the viscosity, dynamic mechanical properties, and flexural properties of the filled composites are also investigated. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 2360–2372, 1999     

Simple synthesis of mesoporous boron nitride with strong cathodoluminescence emission

Mesoporous BN was prepared at 550 °C for 10 h or so via a simple reaction between NaBH₄ and CO(NH₂)₂. X-ray diffraction demonstrates the formation of t-BN with lattice constants a=2.46 and c=6.67 Å. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy displays a lot of porous films in the product, which possesses a high surface area of 219 m² g⁻¹ and a pore size primarily around 3.8 nm tested by nitrogen adsorption-desorption method. The mesoporous BN exhibits a strong luminescence emission around 3.41 eV in the cathodoluminescence spectra, a high stability in both morphology and structure, and good oxidation resistance up to 800 °C. The byproducts generated during the reaction are responsible for the formation of the mesoporous BN.     

An overview of boron nitride based polymer nanocomposites

Recently, boron nitride (BN) based materials have received significant attention in both academic and industrial sectors due to its interesting properties like large energy band gap, good resistance to oxidation, excellent thermal conductivity, thermal stability, chemical inertness, significant mechanical property and widespread applications. This review article deals with the preparation and properties of boron nitride and its nanocomposites with various polymers. Diverse polymers have been explored for the preparation of boron nitride filled polymer nanocomposites by adopting different mixing methods. Properties of the resulting polymer nanocomposites mainly depend up on filler size and dispersion, mixing conditions and type of interaction between polymer matrix and the filler. Herein, the structure, preparation and properties of various boron nitride based polymer nanocomposites are reviewed in detail along with a brief overview of different classes of BN nanomaterials.     

Cleaning of pyrolytic hexagonal boron nitride surfaces

Hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) has recently garnered significant interest as a substrate and dielectric for two‐dimensional materials and devices based on graphene or transition metal dichalcogenides such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂). As substrate surface impurities and defects can negatively impact the structure and properties of two‐dimensional materials, h‐BN surface preparation and cleaning are a critical consideration. In this regard, we have utilized X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy to investigate the influence of several ex situ wet chemical and in situ thermal desorption cleaning procedures on pyrolytic h‐BN surfaces. Of the various wet chemistries investigated, a 10 : 1 buffered HF solution was found to produce surfaces with the lowest amount of oxygen and carbon contamination. Ultraviolet/ozone oxidation was found to be the most effective ex situ treatment for reducing carbon contamination. Annealing at 1050 °C in vacuum or 10^?5 Torr NH₃ was found to further reduce oxygen and carbon contamination to the XPS detection limits. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Energetic stability of boron nitride nanostructures doped with one carbon atom

We have investigated, using first‐principles calculations, the role of a substitutional carbon atom on the geometric stability of boron nitride monolayers, nanotubes, and nanocones. It is shown that the formation of energy depends on the number of atoms for the monolayers and on the diameter for the tubes. It is also found, for the carbon‐doped boron nitride nanotubes, that the value for the strain energy approaches the one obtained for nondoped tubes with increasing diameter. For the structural stability, we have verified that the doping, which introduces an excess of nitrogen or boron, makes each structure more favorable in its reverse atmosphere, i.e., excess of nitrogen is more stable in a boron‐rich growth environment, whereas excess of boron is preferred in a nitrogen‐rich condition. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010     

Thermoanalytical study of the polymorphic transformations of wurtzitic boron nitride modification into graphite-like ones

The polymorphic transformations of wurtzitic modification of boron nitride into graphite-like ones have been studied using DSC, inverse drop-calorimetry and dilatometry over the temperature range of 500 to 1400 K. The transformation enthalpies at 1380 K were determined to be +14±2 kJ/mole and +17±3 kJ/mole for wBN→hBN and wBN→rBN transformations, respectively.

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Zusammenfassung Mittels DSC, inverser Dropkalorimetrie und Dilatometrie im Temperaturbereich von 500 bis 1400 K wurden die polymorphen Umwandlungen der Wurtzit-Modifikation von Bornitrid in die Graphit-Modifikation untersucht. Die Umwandlungsenthalpien bei 1380 K für die Umwandlungen wBN→hBN und wBN→rBN wurden mit +14±2 kJ/mol und mit +17±3 kJ/mol bestimmt.

     

Synthesis and ceramic conversion of a new oligomeric precursor to boron nitride

A new polyaminoborazine with good solubility was synthesized by ammonolysis reaction of a mixture of B‐chloroborazine, B‐bischloroborazine, and B‐trichloroborazine under mild condition. The oligomer was easily cured at 250°C. The pyrolytic residue of the cured oligomer was investigated with X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The results indicated that crystalline h‐BN with B/N ratio of 1:1.01 is main in the residue pyrolyzed at 1500°C. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hexagonal boron nitride quantum dots: Properties,preparation and applications

As a new type of quantum dots (QDs), hexagonal boron nitride quantum dots (BNQDs) exhibit promising potential in the applications of disease diagnosis, fluorescence imaging, biosensing, metal ion detection, and so on, because of their remarkable chemical stability, excellent biocompatibility, low cytotoxicity, and outstanding photoluminescence properties. However, the large-scale fabrication of homogeneous BNQDs still remains challenging. In this article, the properties and common fabrication methods of BNQDs are summarized based on the recent research progress. Then, the corresponding yields, morphologies, and fabrication mechanisms of these as-obtained BNQDs are discussed in detail. Moreover, the applications of these as-obtained BNQDs in different fields are also discussed. This article is expected to inspire new methods and improvements to achieve large-scale fabrication of homogeneous BNQDs, which will enable their practical applications in future.     

A DFT study on the healing of N‐vacancy defects in boron nitride nanosheets and nanotubes by a methylene molecule

In the present work, density functional theory calculations are used to investigate the healing mechanism of a N‐vacancy defect in boron nitride nanosheet (BNNS) or nanotube (BNNT) with a CH₂ molecule. The healing process starts with the chemisorption of CH₂ at the defect site, followed by its dehydrogenation over the surface. Next, a H₂ molecule is produced which can be easily released from the surface due to its small adsorption energy. For the dehydrogenation of CH₂ molecule over the defective BNNS or BNNT, the first C? H bond dissociation is the rate determining step. Our results indicate that the dehydrogenation of CH₂ over BNNS is both thermodynamically and kinetically more favorable than over BNNT. Besides, this study proposes a novel method for achieving C‐doped BNNSs and BNNTs. Given that the healing process proceeds without using a metal catalyst, therefore, no any purification is needed to remove the catalyst.     

Synthesis and characterization of boron nitride sponges as a novel support for metal nanoparticles

This paper describes a simple synthetic route for the synthesis of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) powders with high specific surface area, in which BBr3, NH4Cl and Al powders are used as starting materials. The structure and composition of the powders were characterized by electron diffraction, Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy in the selected area. X-ray diffraction shows wide peaks of crystalline h-BN with the particle size on the nanometer scale, and transmission electron microscopy reveals that the products have a novel spongy morphology. Silver nanoparticles loaded h-BN sponges were prepared via a one-step synthesis method. Different reaction conditions for the formation of h-BN sponges were also investigated.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(aminoborane) as a new boron nitride precursor

During the solution reaction of NaBH₄/(NH₄)₂SO₄ in tetraglyme to form borazine, polymeric aminoborane (NH₂BH₂)_x has been isolated as a white powder. The powder was characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis/differential scanning calorimetry, infrared and mass spectroscopies, and powder X‐ray diffraction. Solid‐state ¹⁵N and ¹¹B nuclear magnetic resonance firmly proved that the chain‐like poly(aminoborane) evolved a partially condensed B₃N₃ ring structure by dehydrogenative condensation between chains at 200 °C. Pyrolysis of the polymer in a nitrogen stream up to 1400 °C led to a 75% yield of hexagonal boron nitride with an interlayer spacing of 3.37 Å. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Noncovalent functionalization of boron nitride nanotubes using poly(2,7-carbazole)s

To fully actualize the potential of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs), it is necessary to overcome the inherent insolubility of this nanomaterial. Drawing on the successes realized in the analogous carbon nanotube field, noncovalent functionalization with conjugated polymers offers a simple, scalable route toward the production of stable dispersions of BNNTs. 2,7-carbazoles were chosen as our core monomer based on density functional theory (DFT) predictions, which suggest superior interactions with BNNTs when compared to fluorene-BNNT interactions. Homo poly(2,7-carbazole)s and copolymers with fluorenes were synthesized and used successfully to disperse BNNTs into organic solvents. Thermogravimetric analysis and atomic force microscopy results confirm the proficiency of these polymers to disperse large amounts (> 80% by weight) of individualized BNNTs. Analysis of absorbance data shows that the choice of solvent is critical, with stability enhanced in THF compared to CHCl₃ due to the more efficient planarization of polymer chains on the surface of BNNTs, particularly for the homopolymers. The utility of these highly-soluble poly(2,7-carbazole)-BNNT complexes for printed electronics and transparent composites was demonstrated by the fabrication of simple capacitors and incorporation into poly(methyl methacrylate) composites, respectively.     

Influence of Hexagonal Boron Nitride on Electronic Structure of Graphene

By performing first-principles calculations, we studied hexagonal-boron-nitride (hBN)-supported graphene, in which moiré structures are formed due to lattice mismatch or interlayer rotation. A series of graphene/hBN systems has been studied to reveal the evolution of properties with respect to different twisting angles (21.78°, 13.1°, 9.43°, 7.34°, 5.1°, and 3.48°). Although AA- and AB-stacked graphene/hBN are gapped at the Dirac point by about 50 meV, the energy gap of the moiré graphene/hBN, which is much more asymmetric, is only about several meV. Although the Dirac cone of graphene residing in the wide gap of hBN is not much affected, the calculated Fermi velocity is found to decrease with the increase in the moiré super lattice constant due to charge transfer. The periodic potential imposed by hBN modulated charge distributions in graphene, leading to the shift of graphene bands. In agreement with experiments, there are dips in the calculated density of states, which get closer and closer to the Fermi energy as the moiré lattice grows larger.     

Development of novel graphene-like layered hexagonal boron nitride for adsorptive removal of antibiotic gatifloxacin from aqueous solution

Graphene-like layered hexagonal boron nitride (g-BN) was prepared and characterized. The performance of using g-BN as an adsorbent for removal of fluoroquinolone antibiotic gatifloxacin (GTF) from aqueous solution was evaluated. g-BN showed an excellent adsorption capability with notable GTF adsorption ratio of more than 90%. Data of equilibrium adsorption of GTF onto g-BN at different temperatures were represented by Langmuir, Freundlich and Tempkin isotherm models, and Langmuir exhibited the best fitting with the maximum adsorption capacity of 88.5 mg·g^?1 at 288 K. GTF adsorption was insignificantly affected by solution pH. Competitive role of Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ in the solution inhibited the adsorption of GTF and decreased the adsorption capacity a bit. The adsorption process was spontaneous and exothermic. The adsorption was probably governed by π–π interaction between GTF and g-BN, and electrostatic interaction may also exist in the adsorption process.