Low temperature synthesis of h-BN nanoflakes

Boron nitride (BN) with flake-like morphology has been synthesized by reacting powder H3BO3, Mg and NH4Cl in an autoclave at 600 degrees C for 10 h. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns show the sample has hexagonal phase with lattice parameters a=2.506 and c=6.692 A. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and field emission scanning electron (FE-SEM) indicate the as-synthesized product is pure flake with a mean size of about 100 nm in thickness and 600 nm in width length. X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) give an average B/N atomic ratio of 0.98:1. Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) has a strong B-N absorption at 1376 cm(-1) and 814 cm(-1). (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.