Thionyl Chloride Corrodes Hexagonal Boron Nitride to Generate Reactive Functional Groups.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Surface Chemistry

Background:

• Two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) possesses unique properties but limited applications due to its stable structure and lack of active functional groups.
• Surface modification is crucial for unlocking the full potential of h-BN in advanced materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simple and efficient method for functionalizing hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN).
• To investigate the impact of thionyl chloride corrosion on h-BN's surface properties and its subsequent effect on composite material performance.

Main Methods:

• Commercially available h-BN was corroded using thionyl chloride, creating through-holes.
• Surface analysis was performed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy.
• A corrosion mechanism involving H+ and OH- ions and boric acid generation was proposed.

Main Results:

• Thionyl chloride effectively corroded h-BN, introducing through-holes and generating reactive hydroxyl and amino groups on the surface.
• XPS and FT-IR confirmed the presence of these functional groups.
• The modified h-BN demonstrated improved thermal conductivity and DC breakdown strength in composite materials due to enhanced interfacial properties.

Conclusions:

• Thionyl chloride corrosion is a promising, simple, and efficient method for modifying h-BN.
• The introduction of reactive groups significantly enhances the performance of h-BN in composite applications.
• This approach opens new avenues for h-BN functionalization and material development.