Boron nitride nanoparticles have several unique intrinsic properties, such as high oxidation resistance, superior mechanical strength, electrical insulating properties, and high thermal conductivity, and thus have the potential to be used in a wide range of fields, from synthetic biology to aerospace. Despite these unique properties, BN nanoparticles have proven difficult to incorporate into composites and polymers due to poor compatibility and dispersion. Covalent functionalization is an effective method of improving nanoparticle compatibility and dispersion. But the highly stable, inert B-N bond requires aggressive conditions for chemical attachment.  Most successful chemical BN functionalization has used exotic or strong/super acids to cleave the B-N bond. However, these methods are difficult to control, leading to unpredictable deterioration of the hexagonal BN structure and can result in considerable degradation of properties.<br/>We present the use of ultrasonication for the controlled alcoholysis and functionalization of hexagonal BN nanoparticles. By controlling experimental factors such as temperature, energy applied, sonication power, solvent, and reactant ratios the sonochemical process produced minimal damage to the BN structure. In this study, hexagonal BN nanoplatelets have been covalently functionalized with perfluorooctan-1-oxy functional moieties. Characterization techniques like X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), FTIR, colloidal stability analysis, Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analyzer (EDX), and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) will be used to analyze h-BN samples. This will provide information on changes to the BN structure as well as quantification of attached functional groups as a result of ultrasonic alcoholysis. This work intends to provide insight into how the functionalization process might be controlled and metered to limit BN structural damage.

Covalent functionalization of hexagonal Boron Nitride nanomaterials via Sonochemical initiated Alcoholysis: Controlling the process

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ACS Fall 2022

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