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Antireflective surface coatings were one of the most important factors that contributed to the improvement of the functionality of photovoltaic cells. The coatings were performed by different methods such as RF sputtering, spin coating, dip coating, electro spraying etc. The coating materials such as BN, Si 3 N 4 and BN-Si 3 N 4 blends were applied to solar cells using the RF sputtering technique in this study. Several distinct characterization methods were adopted to assess the productivity of Si 3 N 4 coated cells. The BN-Si 3 N 4 blend coated cell has a low light reflection of 8 % and exhibits uniform layer deposition, which shows a significant improvement over conventional solar cell. The BN-Si 3 N 4 solar cell was able to obtain the highest possible power conversion efficiency of 19.70 % when exposed to direct sunlight and 21.28 % when exposed to neodymium light. It possess the narrow scope of visible spectrum and acts as green/yellow filter in visible spectrum. This light is capable of delivering light similar to sunlight with consistent radiation. This was accomplished by increasing the transmission of photons that reached the depletion region. The four-probe experiment was employed to measure the electrical resistivity of BN-Si 3 N 4 solar cell, which was found to be 0.00298 Ω-cm. This value was lower than the electrical resistivity of other solar cell samples. Based on the results, BN-Si 3 N 4 combination outperformed both coated and bare cells. It was found that BN-Si 3 N 4 blendwas a remarkable antireflective coating to maximize the performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Casimir interaction is an intriguing phenomenon that is induced by electromagnetic quantum fluctuations, which dominates the interaction between microstructures at small separations and is essential for micro- and nano-electromechanical systems (MEMS and NEMS). However, Casimir interaction driven by hyperbolic polaritons remains an unexplored frontier. In this work, we investigate the Casimir interaction between natural hyperbolic material hexagonal boron nitride from the perspective of force distribution with different optical axis orientations for the first time. The attractive Casimir force is remarkably enhanced due to the excitation of volume-confined hyperbolic polaritons (HPs). Furthermore, distinct repulsive contributions to the force are observed due to surface-confined HPs that only exist when the optical axis is in-plane. The HPs are associated with a striking thickness dependence of spectral force properties, suggesting that the discrete volume-confined HPs lead to the attractive-repulsive transition of Casimir force. This work sheds light on the relation between HPs and the vacuum fluctuation-induced force, which could offer new opportunities for the development of the MEMS and NEMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a novel body-centered tetragonal boron nitride (bct-BN)-reinforced 6351Al-based cast metal matrix composite of various reinforcement contents is synthesized for the first time adopting a low-cost hybrid route of liquid metal infiltration-cum-stir casting followed by subsequent treatments of forging and age hardening. Not only a new low-density ultra-hard reinforcement (bct-BN) is incorporated but also a new hybrid casting route pertinent to the low-density reinforcement incorporation is attempted for the first time in order to achieve high specific ultimate tensile strength (SUTS) value. As a noteworthy outcome, a significant value of SUTS (113 MPa/g cm−3) and modest ductility (%Elongation = 10) are achieved in 6351Al-12.3 vol.% BN composite on casting followed by forging and age hardening treatments that is quite comparable or superior to many common aluminum-based metal matrix composites and steels for structural application. In view of structure-property correlation, such an enhanced property (YS = 196 MPa, UTS = 291 MPa, % Elongation = 10, SUTS = 113 MPa/g cm−3) as compared to the initial property of cast 6351Al alloy (YS = 131 MPa, UTS = 144 MPa, % Elongation = 2, SUTS = 56 MPa/gcm−3) is attributed to reinforcement effect of coherent bct-BN particles, matrix grain refinement effect on bct-BN particle incorporation, evolution of nano-twinned region within BN particle on forging and the age hardening effect of coherent Mg5Si6 (β″) precipitates. This asserts an emergence of a new cost-effective structural material in the form of 6351Al/bct-BN composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a new electrochemical sensing system based on lutetium copper nanoparticles supported on hexagonal boron nitride (Lu‐Cu@h‐BN) was designed for the sensitive detection of ciprofloxacin (CIP) antibiotic. A simple hydrothermal method was used to synthesize the nanocomposite. The structural and morphological characteristics of the as‐prepared nanocomposite were investigated using various analytical techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The newly developed Lu‐Cu@h‐BN nanocomposite was used as an electrode modifier for sensing and signalling of CIP. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to study the electrochemical activities of the bare GCE, Cu‐h‐BN/GCE, Lu‐h‐BN/GCE, Lu‐Cu/GCE, and Lu‐Cu@h‐BN/GCE. The electro‐oxidation of CIP on electrode surface exhibited an irreversible, diffusion‐controlled process. The sensor system obtained a wider linear range of (0.05–100 μM) with a lower detection limit value of 0.03 μM and sensitivity 0.7443 μA μM−1 cm−2. Furthermore, the sensor demonstrated an excellent selectivity, good stability, and reproducibility, with acceptable recoveries of 96 % to 104 % in real water sample analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a technique for constructing a three‐dimensional (3D) skeleton of hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) using sugar as the fulcrum and preparing composites by embedding in the epoxy (EP) in a vacuum environment is proposed. The study of thermal conductivity (TC) in polymer composites is conducted through a blend of techniques: laser flashing, theoretical modeling, and finite element simulation. The h‐BN skeleton exhibits a honeycomb structure through the scanning electron microscopy findings. Further investigation using finite element simulation demonstrates that conductive networks are formed by the h‐BN skeleton within the composites, leading to a notable enhancement in TC. Specifically, the composite for h‐BN/EP reaches a TC of 2.25 W/m K when composed of 52 vol% h‐BN. A dielectric loss of 0.008 for the composite with the same h‐BN loading shows a considerable improvement. The compressive yield strength of the 3D h‐BN/EP composites reached 312 MPa at 5 vol% h‐BN loading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer-like dielectrics with superb thermal conductivity as well as high dielectric properties hold great promise for the modern electronic field. Nevertheless, integrating these properties into a single material simultaneously remains problematic due to their mutually limited physical connotations. In this study, we developed high-quality thermally conductive epoxy composites with excellent dielectric properties. This was achieved by incorporating surface-functionalized microscale hexagonal boron nitride (BN) along with N-[3-(Trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ethylene diamine (DN) and N-[3-(Trimethoxysilyl)propyl]aniline (PN). In the resulting epoxy composite, microscale BN serves as the primary building block for establishing the thermally conductive network, while silica particles act as bridges to regulate heat transfer and reduce interfacial phonon-scattering. The prepared composites were thoroughly examined across various filler contents (ranging from 10 to 80 wt%). Among them, the DNBN/epoxy composite exhibited higher thermal conductivity (in-plane: 47.03 W m−1 K−1) at 60 wt% filler content compared to BN/epoxy (39.40 W m−1 K−1) and PNBN/epoxy (33 W m−1 K−1) composites. These results highlight the usefulness of surface modification of BN in improving compatibility between fillers and epoxy, ultimately reducing composite viscosity. Furthermore, the DNBN/epoxy composite at 60 wt% demonstrated superb dielectric constant (∼6.15) without compromising on dissipation loss (∼0.06). The strategy adopted in this study offers significant insights into designing dielectric thermally conductive composites with superior performance outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The three‐dimensional (3D) boron nitride (BN) thermal conductive networks, crafted through layer‐by‐layer assembly, hold tremendous potential for the development of insulating thermal interface materials (TIMs) with exceptional thermal conductivity. Nevertheless, maintaining the thermal conductive stability of this structure type during application remains a considerable challenge. Herein, initially, the honeycomb networks of boron nitride/nanodiamond (ND/kBN) with interlocking interfaces were prepared by electrostatic self‐assembly and ice template method. Subsequently, thermal conductivity composites of flexible silicone rubber (VQM) were acquired through vacuum‐assisted infiltration. The composites demonstrated improved through‐plane thermal conductivity with 1.03 W/(m K) at a 9.9 vol% content of ND/kBN while exhibiting relatively ideal dielectric properties. More importantly, the thermal conductive properties of the composites still maintain at 96.1% and 91.9%, respectively, even after undergoing 30% compressive deformation for 1 h and being bent 300 times. This study presents a novel strategy that not only improves the thermal conductivity of composites but also ensures the reliability of their applications. Highlights: Nanodiamond (ND) is anchored onto the kBN surface by electrostatic self‐assembly.ND/kBN filler honeycomb network with an interlocking interface was prepared.Flexible composites with high thermal conductivity (TC) were prepared.The composites exhibit excellent TC stability after experiencing deformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New 2D membranes based on hexagonal graphene nanodots with zigzag edges have been constructed and investigated using density functional theory calculations. The stability of the considered structures is confirmed by the positive binding energy and the real vibrational frequency obtained from the infrared spectra. The membranes are semiconductors with low-energy interactive molecular orbitals distributed on the edges and the links making them promising for the adsorption of seawater trace metals. We found that the constructed 2D membranes successfully adsorb the selected trace metals (Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As) with moderate adsorption energy and noticeable charge transfer. Furthermore, chemical modification by attaching chemical groups (COOH) or doping significantly improves the adsorption process by introducing additional active sites. For example, the weak activity of the surface significantly improved by doping with N-atoms that introduce interactive electrons on neighboring C-atoms and eventually boost the surface activity. Therefore, the investigated structures represent new 2D membranes with abundant active sites and suitable adsorption properties for the separation of seawater trace metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to explore Pickering emulsion stabilized by hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) mixed with styrene/maleic anhydride and fabricate melamine–urea–formaldehyde (MUF)/paraffin microcapsules for thermal management applications. The particle size distribution and morphology of h-BN were observed, respectively, by a laser-diffraction particle size analyzer and a transmission electron microscope. Field emission scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscope, differential scanning calorimeter, and thermogravimetric analyzer were applied to determine the morphologies, crystallography, chemical components, phase change properties, and thermal stability of MUF/paraffin microcapsules with different h-BN dosages. It was found that the h-BN dosage of 0.05 g achieved the encapsulation ratio of 58.08%, melting enthalpy of 107.90 J/g, and crystallization enthalpy of 107.70 J/g. When the MUF/paraffin microcapsules were applied in calcium sulfate dehydrate (CS), CS/MicroC01 demonstrated high potential in thermal management of buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is one of the most promising candidates for vacuum‐ultraviolet photodetectors (VUV PDs). However, the efficient and low‐cost fabrication of large‐area hBN‐PDs still encounters challenges. Herein, a cost‐effective route is proposed for fast and scalable fabrication of high‐performance VUV PDs via hBN nanosheet (BNNS) films. BNNSs are peeled from bulk hBN and self‐assembled into large‐area ordered films. In such PDs, junction barriers are present at the contact interfaces of BNNSs and give the PDs a "light‐induced reduction of junction barrier height" working mechanism. The number of junction barriers are qualitatively adjusted by designing the size of BNNSs to optimize the performance of the devices. The performance of ultralow dark current (0.27 pA@80 V), high detectivity (3.42 × 1011 Jones), and fast response speed (20.97/17.69 ms) for 185 nm VUV light is achieved by a fabricated PD. Analysis based on the Schottky contact model proves that the large photoresponse is mainly attributed to the reduction of the barriers and series resistance on illumination. Meanwhile, a physical model is established to describe the working process of such PDs, of which conductivity is dominated by the junction barriers. Besides, a flexible PD is also fabricated, depicting excellent stability, and robustness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tailoring the electronic and optical properties of nitride‐based alloys for optoelectronic device applications in the ultraviolet and red spectral range has attracted significant attention in recent years. Adding boron nitride (BN) to indium gallium nitride (In,Ga)N alloys can help to control the lattice mismatch between (In,Ga)N and GaN and may thus allow to reduce strain‐related defect formation. However, understanding of the impact of BN on the electronic properties of III‐N alloys, in particular the influence of experimentally observed boron atom clustering, is sparse. This work presents first‐principles calculations investigating the electronic properties of highly mismatched (B,In)N alloys with boron contents between 2% and 7%. Special attention is paid to the impact of the alloy microstructure. While the results show that the lattice constants of such alloys largely agree with lattice constants determined from a Vegard approximation, the electronic structure strongly depends on the local boron atom configuration. For instance, if boron atoms are dispersed throughout the structure and are not sharing nitrogen atoms, the band gap of (B,In)N alloys is largely unaffected and stays close to the gap of pristine InN. However, in the case of boron atom clustering, i.e., when boron atoms are sharing nitrogen atoms, the band gap can be strongly reduced, often leading to a metallic state in (B,In)N alloys. These strong band gap reductions are mainly driven by carrier localization effects in the valence band. Our calculations thus show that the electronic structure of (B,In)N alloys strongly depends on the alloy microstructure and that boron atom clustering plays an important role in understanding the electronic and optical properties of these emerging materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atomic sawtooth surfaces have emerged as a versatile platform for growth of single-crystal van der Waals layered materials. However, the mechanism governing the formation of single-crystal atomic sawtooth metal (copper or gold) films on hard substrates (tungsten or molybdenum) remains a puzzle. In this study, we aim to elucidate the formation mechanism of atomic sawtooth metal films during melting–solidification process. Utilizing molecular dynamics, we unveil that the solidification of the liquid copper initiates at a high-index tungsten facet with higher interfacial energy. Subsequent tungsten facets follow energetically favourable pathways of forming single-crystal atomic sawtooth copper film during the solidification process near melting temperature. Formation of atomic sawtooth copper film is guaranteed with a film thickness exceeding the grain size of polycrystalline tungsten substrate. We further demonstrate the successful growth of centimeter-scale single-crystal monolayer hexagonal boron nitride films on atomic sawtooth copper films and explore their potential as efficient oxygen barrier. Although single-crystal (SC) 2D materials can be grown on atomic sawtooth metal surfaces, the formation mechanism during the melting-solidification process remains unclear. Here authors reveal that solidification starts at high-index facets and spreads, forming a SC atomic sawtooth surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal‐free boron‐based catalysts such as boron oxide (B2O3) and boron nitride (h‐BN) are promising catalysts for methane oxidation to HCHO and CO. The B2O3 catalyst contains various probable boron sites (B1 to B6), which may be responsible for methane oxidation. In this work, we utilized density functional theory to compare two relevant geometrically identical boron sites (B2 and B4) for their reactivities. The two sites are explored in‐detail for the conversion of methane to formaldehyde (M2F), carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The B4 site activates the methane C−H bond easily as compared to the B2 site. In M2F conversion, the rate‐determining step for the B2 site is the co‐activation of dioxygen and methane, whereas over the B4 site, formaldehyde formation is the rate‐determining step. The computationally‐determined RDS for the B4 site coincides well with the reported experiments. It is further revealed that this site also prefers the formation of CO over CO2, which is in‐line with the experiments in literature. It is also shown through orbital analysis that methanol formation does not occur during methane oxidation. We employed descriptors such as condensed Fukui functions and global electrophilicity index to chemically distinct these twin sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal‐free boron‐based catalysts such as boron oxide (B2O3) and boron nitride (h‐BN) are promising catalysts for methane oxidation to HCHO and CO. The B2O3 catalyst contains various probable boron sites (B1 to B6), which may be responsible for methane oxidation. In this work, we utilized density functional theory to compare two relevant geometrically identical boron sites (B2 and B4) for their reactivities. The two sites are explored in‐detail for the conversion of methane to formaldehyde (M2F), carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The B4 site activates the methane C−H bond easily as compared to the B2 site. In M2F conversion, the rate‐determining step for the B2 site is the co‐activation of dioxygen and methane, whereas over the B4 site, formaldehyde formation is the rate‐determining step. The computationally‐determined RDS for the B4 site coincides well with the reported experiments. It is further revealed that this site also prefers the formation of CO over CO2, which is in‐line with the experiments in literature. It is also shown through orbital analysis that methanol formation does not occur during methane oxidation. We employed descriptors such as condensed Fukui functions and global electrophilicity index to chemically distinct these twin sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) is a van der Waals (vdW) ultrawide bandgap semiconductor with high band‐edge absorption coefficient and chemical/thermal resistance, demonstrating great potential for vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and UV‐C detection. Hitherto, most of their prevailing applications have exploited epitaxial films and multilayers either grown on substrates or transferred, which tend to form energy‐favorable noncovalent vdW epitaxy. Here, an alternative heteroepitaxy of 2‐inch h‐BN is reported with desirable thickness and vertically aligned vdW layers covalently bonded to sapphire, enabled by activating the inert substrate surface using ion impingement during deposition and the dislocation‐mediated epitaxial transition. The fabricated photodetectors allow efficient photon absorption and carrier collection using a simple planar device design, showing excellent VUV/UV‐C detection performance with ultrafast response of 270 ns/60 µs (rise/decay) and remarkable operating stability until 500 °C. This covalent heteroepitaxy of wafer‐scale h‐BN opens new avenues for optoelectronics and electronics significant to harsh environment applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial thermally conductive dielectric materials used in electronic packaging typically exhibit thermal conductivities (κ) ranging from 0.8 to 4.2 W m−1 K−1. Hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) flakes are promising thermally conductive materials for the thermal management of next‐generation electronics. These electrically insulating yet thermally conducting h‐BN flakes can be incorporated as thermal fillers to impart high κ to polymer‐based composites. A cellulose‐based composite embedded with few‐layer h‐BN (FLh‐BN) flakes, achieving a κ ≈ 21.7 W m−1 K−1, prepared using a cost‐effective and scalable procedure is demonstrated. This value is >5 times higher than the κ observed in composites embedded with bulk h‐BN (Bh‐BN, κ ≈ 4.5 W m−1 K−1), indicating the benefits of the superior κ of FLh‐BN on the κ of h‐BN polymer composites. When applied as a paste for thermal interface material (TIM), the FLh‐BN composite can reduce the maximum temperature (Tmax) by 24.5 °C of a heating pad at a power density (h) of 2.48 W cm−2 compared to Bh‐BN composites at the same h‐BN loading. The results provide an effective approach to improve the κ of cellulose‐based thermal pastes for TIMs and demonstrate their viability for heat dissipation in integrated circuits (ICs) and high‐power electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cost-effective, earth-abundant and high electroactive bi-functional electrocatalyst for ORR (oxygen reduction reaction) and OER (oxygen evolution reaction) is desirable for developing sustainable energy systems such as fuel cells, electrolyzers and metal-air batteries. In this work, Ag nanoparticles were first deposited on h-BN sheets via a simple complexation-reduction method, by using carbon nanotube as the conductive material. The structure, morphology and composition of obtained Ag-BN/C catalyst were characterized by XRD (X-ray diffraction), SEM (scanning electron microscopy), EDX (energy-dispersive X-ray), Raman, TEM (transmission electron microscopy) and XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy). These tests confirmed the presence of Ag on the h-BN support and tightly binding together by carbon nanotubes. Ag-BN/C shows improved ORR electrocatalytic activity which is comparable to that of Pt/C catalyst. The as-prepared catalyst also exhibits excellent OER catalytic activity. The long-time running and the tolerance to methanol studies show that the Ag-BN/C catalyst possesses high stability properties in alkaline medium. This investigation may provide technical and theoretical validation for application in fuel cells. [Display omitted] • Ag-BN/C hybrid was synthesized by a complexation-reduction method. • Ag-BN/C possesses high ORR and OER catalytic activity and stability. • Ag-BN/C exhibits excellent tolerance towards methanol. • Synergistic effect is considered as the important factor for catalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study investigates the impact of interfacial interactions between the silicone rubber base polymer matrix and the hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nanofiller, incorporated at different weight percentages, on electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. The adhesion of filler to the polymer is examined through swelling tests and Kraus plots and the elastic modulus calculated has a good agreement with the experimental data. The addition of 3 wt% of BN nanofiller with silicone rubber led to a 25.4 % increment in surface discharge inception voltage (SDIV). The Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) shows that the BN filler included samples have high degradation temperature and thermal activation energy. The introduction of filler into the base polymer matrix significantly enhances mechanical properties, specifically tensile strength, tensile modulus, and percentage elongation at break. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a dual-layer plasmonic material-based electro-absorption modulator (EAM) is designed and investigated. Indium-tin-oxide (ITO), along with dielectric materials such as boron nitride (hBN) and hafnium dioxide (HfO2), is integrated into the Si waveguide for tuning the light propagating inside the device. The device showed enhanced performance in terms of extinction ratio (ER) = 34.48 dB/µm, the figure of merit (FOM) = 493, and insertion loss (IL) = 0.06 dB/µm for On-state at 1.55 µm wavelength. Also, the dual-state behavior of the EAM was observed and investigated. An IL of 22.22 dB/µm and 25.39 dB/µm was observed for the Off-On and On-Off configurations, respectively. A modulation frequency (${f_{3dB}}$ f 3 dB ) of 1.72 THz and 340 GHz was achieved for the EAM with hBN and HfO2 as the dielectric material. The investigated EAM with different dielectric materials has the potential to be integrated into future-generation photonic integrated circuits (PICs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon carbide fiber–reinforced silicon carbide (SiCf/SiC) composites have been expected to be used as next‐generation heat resistant structural materials with high reliability. The fiber/matrix interface for SiCf/SiC composites plays an important role for toughening and strengthening, and it is important to form the optimal interphase for SiCf/SiC composites. In this study, hexagonal‐boron nitride (h‐BN), which shows better oxidation resistance than carbon, was selected as the interphase for SiCf/SiC composites, and h‐BN coating was formed on low‐conductive SiC fibers by the electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method using flaked h‐BN suspension prepared by wet‐jet milling. Unidirectional SiCf/SiC composites with the BN interphase formed by the EPD method were prepared by polymer impregnation and pyrolysis (PIP) method, and their mechanical properties were evaluated. The uniform h‐BN interphase was successfully formed on the low‐conductive SiC fibers by EPD when thin polypyrrole (Ppy) coating, that is, conductive polymer, was formed on the SiC fibers. The h‐BN coating became denser by heat‐treatment at 1000°C, and the h‐BN coating deposited tightly on the SiC fibers was confirmed. It was demonstrated that the SiCf/SiC composites with the uniform and relatively dense h‐BN interphase formed by EPD using flaked h‐BN particles exhibited pseudo‐ductile fracture behavior with large amount of fiber pullout and higher fracture energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BN interphases with different microstructures and a structural gradient were prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) within SiC/SiC minicomposites. The interfacial shear stress (ISS) measured by the fiber push‐out test and the debonding location in the fiber/matrix interface zone during mechanical loading depends on the BN interphase structure. The ISS is higher when the structural organization of the BN interphase is poor, in which case debonding occurs on the fiber side. The Hi‐Nicalon S fiber surfaces were gas‐treated to strengthen the bond with the interphase. BCl3‐based reactive CVD treatments have produced a thin boron carbide layer on the fiber surface, resulting in a 30% increase in ISS. However, the minicomposites are brittle in tensile tests due to fiber bridging by parasitic boron clusters. Short‐time CVD of SiC increases the fiber surface roughness and doubles the ISS, but again the minicomposites are brittle, indicating the need to better modulate the resulting roughness and adjust the interphase. Finally, ammonia treatments have nitrided the fiber surface and increased the ISS by 12%. While the increase in interfacial bonding measured at the microscopic scale was small, this nitriding treatment did not embrittle the minicomposites at the macroscopic scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofilm-associated infections pose a significant challenge in healthcare, constituting 80% of bacterial infections and often leading to persistent, chronic conditions. Conventional antibiotics struggle with efficacy against these infections due to the high tolerance and resistance induced by bacterial biofilm barriers. Two-dimensional nanomaterials, such as those from the graphene family, boron nitride, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), MXene, and black phosphorus, hold immense potential for combating biofilms. These nanomaterial-based antimicrobial strategies are novel tools that show promise in overcoming resistant bacteria and stubborn biofilms, with the ability to circumvent existing drug resistance mechanisms. This review comprehensively summarizes recent developments in two-dimensional nanomaterials, as both therapeutics and nanocarriers for precision antibiotic delivery, with a specific focus on nanoplatforms coupled with photothermal/photodynamic therapy in the elimination of bacteria and penetrating and/or ablating biofilm. This review offers important insight into recent advances and current limitations of current antibacterial nanotherapeutic approaches, together with a discussion on future developments in the field, for the overall benefit of public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work is focused on the thermophysical and tribological study of eight nanolubricant compositions based on a polyalphaolefin (PAO 20) and two different nanoadditives: multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN). Regarding the thermophysical properties, density and dynamic viscosity of the base oil and the nanolubricants were measured in the range of 278.15–373.15 K, as well as their viscosity index, with the aim of evaluating the variation of these properties with the addition of the nanoadditives. On the other hand, their lubricant properties, such as contact angle, coefficient of friction, and wear surface, were determined to analyze the influence of the nanoadditives on the tribological performance of the base oil. The results showed that MWCNTs and h-BN nanoadditives improved the wear area by 29% and 37%, respectively, at a 0.05 wt% concentration. The density and dynamic viscosity increased compared with the base oil as the nanoadditive concentration increased. The addition of MWCNTs and h-BN nanoparticles enhanced the tribological properties of PAO 20 base oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intercalation has recently emerged as a powerful tool due to its unique capability of modifying the properties of materials without breaking their chemical bonds. The ultrathin lattice structure of two‐dimensional (2D) materials with strong in‐plane covalent bonding and weak out‐of‐plane bonding between neighboring layers allow for the successful utilization of this powerful technique. The physics and chemistry of intercalated foreign species in 2D host materials, especially graphene and hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN), are the focus of this review article. Among many foreign species, special attention is given to rare gas solids that introduce unprecedented physical and chemical properties in the targeted host materials. The historical background of intercalation is briefly discussed, and a comprehensive review of the very recent progress in the intercalation of rare gas solids in graphene and h‐BN is then provided. Different technologies used for the growth of the host materials and for the intercalation of rare gas species are also described. The remarkable potential of the resulting hybrid materials is outlined for diverse applications, including sensing, water filtration, and nanoelectromechanical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a device study using technology computer‐aided design simulation to theoretically analyze the electrical performance of ultrawide‐bandgap boron nitride (BN)‐based vertical junction devices is performed, including h‐BN Schottky diode, h‐BN pn diode, and h‐BN/AlN pn diode; this is also the first demonstration of the BN power devices in simulation. The material properties of BN are defined with recently reported data, and the physical mechanisms of the device performance are systematically investigated. The h‐BN junctions in this simulation shows excellent performance, especially for breakdown behaviors. Schottky diode shows a turn‐on voltage of 0.6 V for Pt Schottky contact and breakdown voltages over 450 V for 5 μm, 6 × 1015 cm−3 p‐type‐doped drift layer; The h‐BN pn diode shows a turn‐on voltage of 6 V and breakdown voltages over 3 kV with a critical electric field of 13.6 MV cm−1 for 2.5 μm, 2 × 1016 cm−3 p‐type‐doped drift layer. The h‐BN/AlN heterojunction pn diode shows a turn‐on voltage of 5.8 V and breakdown voltage over 2 kV for 2.5 μm, 2 × 1016 cm−3 n‐type‐doped AlN drift layer. Herein, an understanding of the device principles of vertical BN junctions is provided, which can serve as a reference for the future development of robust BN power electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, antibiotics have been the ideal drugs for treating infections caused by microorganisms due to their broad-spectrum effects. However, as a result of the unconscious and widespread use of antibiotics, an important disadvantage of current treatments is the emergence of resistant bacteria. With the development of nanotechnology, nano-sized materials, which have entered our lives, have started to be used frequently in health. Nano-sized materials may form lower resistance compared to conventional antibiotics. Boron nitride has outstanding optical and mechanical properties; It is one of the boron derivatives widely used in biomedical applications today. In this study, boron nitride nanoparticles were obtained by emulsification-solvent evaporation method, characterization (size, zeta potential, PDI, SEM, FTIR and XRD) studies were performed, stability was investigated, and potential antibacterial effect on nine different microorganisms was evaluated by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and agar-well disc diffusion method. In our study, boron nitride nanoparticles were successfully prepared by an emulsification-solvent evaporation method, which is a top-down technique, easily, rapidly and in high yield. Surprisingly, our 466 nm boron nitride nanoparticles with high negative zeta potential (-38.4±0.90 mV) and highly homogeneous particle size distribution (0.144±0.01 PDI) influenced all nine different bacteria. Our negatively charged boron nitride nanoparticles showed a very high inhibitory effect, especially on Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, even at very low doses (0.02±0.01, 0.80±0.23 and 0.05±0.03 µg/mL, respectively). This study was conducted to prepare nanoparticle formulations of water-insoluble Boron nitride, characterize them, stability and determine their therapeutic effectiveness on nine different bacteria. These findings may make boron nitride nanoparticles not only a reliable and effective antimicrobial agent in health and cosmetics but also an optimal alternative for food preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) was initially considered a less promising photocatalyst due to its large band gap and apparent chemical inertness, its unique two‐dimensional lamellar structure coupled with high stability and environmental friendliness, as the second largest van der Waals material after graphene, provides a unique platform for photocatalytic innovation. This review not only highlights the intrinsic qualities of h‐BN with photocatalytic potentials, such as high stability, environmental compatibility, and tunable bandgap through various modification strategies but also provides a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in h‐BN‐based nanomaterials for environmental and energy applications, as well as an in‐depth description of the modification methods and fundamental properties for these applications. In addition, we discuss the challenges and prospects of h‐BN‐based nanomaterials for future photocatalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Despite great efforts that have been made, photocatalytic carbon dioxide (CO 2) reduction still faces enormous challenges due to the sluggish kinetics or disadvantageous thermodynamics. Herein, cadmium sulfide quantum dots (CdS QDs) were loaded onto carbon, oxygen-doped boron nitride (BN) and encapsulated by titanium carbide (Ti 3 C 2 , MXene) layers to construct a ternary composite. The uniform distribution of CdS QDs and the tight interfacial interaction among the three components could be achieved by adjusting the loading amounts of CdS QDs and MXene. The ternary 100MX/CQ/BN sample gave a productive rate of 2.45 and 0.44 μmol g-1 h−1 for carbon monoxide (CO) and methane (CH 4), respectively. This CO yield is 1.93 and 6.13 times higher than that of CdS QDs/BN and BN counterparts. The photocatalytic durability of the ternary composite is significantly improved compared with CdS QDs/BN because MXene can protect CdS from photocorrosion. The characterization results demonstrate that the excellent CO 2 adsorption and activation capabilities of BN, the visible light absorption of CdS QDs, the good conductivity of MXene and the well-matched energy band alignment jointly promote the photocatalytic performance of the ternary catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ballistic behaviours of hybrid composite armors were investigated through experiments. The effects of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanopowders and number of layers on ballistic performance were examined. Four types of armors were manufactured by hand lay-up and vacuum bagging technique: 60 layers of fabric (30 layers carbon and 30 layers basalt fabrics) with 0% h-BN (1-A) and 1% h-BN (1-B), also 100 layers of fabric (50 layers carbon and 50 layers basalt fabrics) with 0% h-BN (2-A) and 1% h-BN (2-B) with epoxy resin. Ballistic impact tests were performed on the armors using a 9 mm full metal jacket projectile. The densities of the ballistic plates are 1.53, 1.56, 1.61 and 1.65 respectively. After three shots to each plate, the average hole depths were 5.55 mm on the 1-A coded plate, 4.34 mm on the 1-B armor, 4.68 mm on the 2-A plate, and 4.69 mm on the 2-B armor. All of the armors were able to confront for the velocities between 345 and 400 m/s successfully. However, the h-BN showed a significant influence on the overall ballistic performance of composite armors. It has been found that the penetration depth decreases with the addition of h-BN. Also SEM-EDS mapping and XRD analysis were used to characterize the hybrid composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boron Nitride nanostructures show promising potential for various technological applications. In this study B17N18H15, perfect Boron Nitride nanocone, and its different Nickel decorated and doped derivatives have been examined using the density functional theory (DFT) method, to utilize as nonlinear optical active carriers of 5-fluorouracil. The reactivity of studied nanocones has been surveyed by analyzing the molecular electrostatic potential maps and density of states. A time-dependent DFT study has been performed and the absorption spectra of nanocones and corresponding electronic transitions have been investigated. Different spatial orientations have been checked to determine the most stable drug-nanocone interaction configurations. Also, the nonlinear optical response of considered nanocones in the single state and in complex with 5FU has been investigated, and the significant differences in NLO characteristics have been proved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chloride ions are responsible for triggering severe corrosion in the marine environment. Hence, there is a need to deploy corrosion resistant materials such as hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) sheet to protect mechanical components operating under such harsh conditions. In this work, a first-principles approach was employed to investigate the effect of fluorine modification on the thermodynamic and kinetic behaviors of oxygen on different kinds of vacancy-defective hexagonal boron nitride (h -BN) in a Cl-containing marine environment. Geometrical and electronic structures were systematically analyzed along with adsorption and diffusion behaviors. The existence of a low energy barrier implies that there is a relatively attenuated ability to inhibit O diffusion for double vacancy V BN - h -BN sheet compared to single vacancy V B - h -BN and V N - h -BN sheets. Interestingly, the fluorine functionalization for three defective h -BN sheet is found to cause an increased energy barrier of O diffusion. The F @ Cl @ V N - h -BN sheet possesses the highest diffusion energy barrier, indicating a superior anti-oxidation property in the marine environment. This study provides some fundamental guidelines for realizing high-performance h -BN sheets for protecting equipment and components used in marine applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additive manufacturing (3D printing) technologies, especially vat photopolymerization (VPP), provide a cost-effective and efficient approach for the fabrication of heat dissipation devices with complex geometric designs. The incorporation of inorganic thermal conductive fillers into resin matrix is widely recognized as an effective way to enhance thermal conductivity. Notably, the synergistic effect of hybrid fillers can further enhance thermal conductivity. However, the consequent drastic increase in viscosity of the UV-curable resin may decrease the success rate and accuracy of printing on commercial VPP 3D printers. In this work, hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) platelets and spherical h-BN together with β-Si 3 N 4 are introduced into the UV-curable resin system. Corresponding results proved that h-BN together with β-Si 3 N 4 provide a synergistic effect on the thermal conductivity enhancement compared to the filler in single morphology only. Moreover, owing to the spherical structure, low-viscosity UV-curable resin with high solid content can be prepared. In specific, a thermal conductive polymer composite material with a solid content of 60 wt% is prepared, which exhibits high thermal conductivity (1.42 W/mK), representing an enhancement of up to 610 % compared to neat resin. In subsequent application demonstrations, 3D printed heat dissipation devices with as-prepared resin composite material have been shown to effectively enhance the heat dissipation rate for the heating device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boron nitride (BN) has excellent high temperature resistance, thermal conductivity, strong insulation, and wave-transparent properties. Spherical BN is an essential filler in polymer matrix composites due to good particle mobility and high filler content. In this paper, we present a large-scale preparation for BN microspheres with uniform particle size distribution in the range of 1.0–2.8 μm via solvothermal method at low cost and high yield (∼90%), which is two orders of magnitude lower than the diameter of the spherical BN prepared by other methods. BN microspheres can achieve good crystallinity (>70%) and high purity (>99.9%) at 800 °C. The temperature resistance study showed that the BN microspheres could maintain the dense particle morphology at 1200 °C. In addition, the prepared BN microspheres have good dielectric and thermal conductivity properties (dielectric constant ∼3.4, dielectric loss ∼2.0 × 10−3, and thermal conductivity of 9.8 W m−1 K−1), which show great potential in the field of wave-transparent and thermal conductive composites. The synthesis process of BN microspheres proposed in this study provides a new idea for the preparation of ceramic micro or nano materials by polymer-derived ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite materials with good thermal conductivity and wave-absorbing ability are an important innovation in the multifunctionalization of current wave-absorbing materials. However, how to make wave-absorbing materials with high thermal conductivity, is still a difficult problem to overcome in the field of electromagnetic wave absorption (EWA). In this paper, boron nitride nanosheets were modified by surface polymerization of phenolic aldehyde, and the impedance matching properties of the materials were optimized by trace silver modification, after which they were annealed at 700 °C and blended with silicone rubber. The results made clear, that it achieves excellent absorption bandwidth (6.89 GHz) at a lower thickness (2.3 mm), while the thermal conductivity of the composite reaches 0.42 W/(m•k) at this performance of the filler ratio, which is a 210% enhancement compared to the thermal conductivity of pure silicone rubber [0.2 W/(m•k)], and is only 0.02 W/(m•k) lower than pure BN composites at the same filling ratio. This shows that the prepared material not only has good microwave absorption ability, but also has excellent thermal conductivity. The material is simple to make. It has a high industrialization potential and can serve as a powerful guide for the development of ceramic materials into heat-conducting and wave-absorbing materials in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile and versatile methodology is developed for the synthesis of diverse gold nanostructured arrays employing an oxide secondary template combined with sputtering deposition. A bowl‐shaped tin oxide‐built array, with fine structure on its bowl edges, is first designed and prepared by solution‐dipping of an organic colloidal monolayer, drying, and heating treatment. This array is then used as a secondary template for a gold nanostructured array by sputtering deposition on it. By controlling the solution's concentration and drying rate to adjust the fine structure of the secondary template, various new gold nanostructured arrays with hexagonal arrangement are fabricated, including "graphene‐structured" gold nanoarray, non‐contact nanoparticle's ring array, closely contacted nanoring array, and bowl/nanoparticle binary composite nanoarray, achieving the structural diversity and morphological tunability of nanoarrays. Additionally, these gold nanostructured arrays can transition from hydrophilic to hydrophobic properties solely by adjusting their surface architecture. Importantly, the bowl‐shaped structural units within these gold nanoarrays demonstrate a marked capability for capturing target molecules that can only very weakly interact with plasmonic metals. This work offers an efficient route to achieve the structural diversity of nanoarrays, which is of significance in designing and fabricating foundational materials for the next generation of multifunctional nanodevices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are an indispensable part of our daily life. After being studied for a few decades, this field still has some room for improvement. In this regard, perovskite materials may take the leading role. In recent years, LEDs have become a most explored topic, owing to their various applications in photodetectors, solar cells, lasers, and so on. Noticeably, they exhibit significant characteristics in developing LEDs. The luminous efficiency of LEDs can be significantly enhanced by the combination of a poor illumination LED with low-dimensional perovskite. In 2014, the first perovskite-based LED was illuminated at room temperature. Furthermore, two-dimensional (2D) perovskites have enriched this field because of their optical and electronic properties and comparatively high stability in ambient conditions. Recent and relevant advancements in LEDs using low-dimensional perovskites including zero-dimensional to three-dimensional materials is reported. The major focus of this article is based on the 2D perovskites and their heterostructures (i.e., a combination of 2D perovskites with transition metal dichalcogenides, graphene, and hexagonal boron nitride). In comparison to 2D perovskites, heterostructures exhibit more potential for application in LEDs. State-of-the-art perovskite-based LEDs, current challenges, and prospects are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Using linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and polyolefin elastomer (POE) as polyolefin materials and boron nitride (BN) as thermal conductivity filler, the LLDPE/POE/BN thermal conductivity composites was prepared by melt blending hot pressing method. The influence of the process on the dispersion structure of BN was studied, and the relationship between the structure and thermal conductivity of the composites was discussed. The thermal conductivity and temperature field of the composites were predicted by finite element simulation. The results show that the composites with different BN dispersion structures are obtained by three processes. The cocontinuous structure composites formed by BN dispersed in LLDPE phase has excellent thermal conductivity. When the mass fraction of BN is 40% and 50%, the thermal conductivity of the composites is 0.72 W/(m·K) and 0.91 W/(m·K), respectively. Based on the dispersion structure of BN, the structure model of the composites was constructed, the thermal conductivity of the composites was predicted successfully, and the better heat transfer behavior of the composites was revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional inorganic material boron nitride(BN) with excellent chemical stability and mechanical properties was used to modify graphene by liquid-phase ultrasonic exfoliation, and prepared boron nitride/graphene (GBN) composite fillers to prepare PVC composites. Furthermore, the effects of GBN filler content on the corrosion resistance of PVC composites were studied. The results showed that the contact angle of PVC composites was significantly improved at a GBN content of 1.0%, reaching 156°. As the GBN content increases, the weight loss rate and physical size change rate of PVC composites continuously decrease. Among them, the weight loss rate of PVC composites reaches the lowest at a dosage of 1.5%, which is 8.98%. When the size change rate exceeds 1.0%, the downward decrease tends to be gentle. In addition, when the GBN content is 1.0%, the tensile stress retention and tensile strain retention of PVC composites are 156% and 82%, respectively. The color difference of PVC composites gradually decreases, and when the GBN content exceeds 1.0%, the color difference of PVC composites tends to stabilize. When the content is 1.0%, the color difference of PVC composites is 7.8. The research provides a reference for the preparation of PVC composites with strong corrosion resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Converting transverse photons into longitudinal two-dimensional plasmon-–polaritons (2D-PP) and vice versa presents a significant challenge within the fields of photonics and plasmonics. Therefore, understanding the mechanism which increases the photon – 2D-PP conversion efficiency could significantly contribute to those efforts. In this study, we theoretically examine how efficiently incident radiation, when scattered by a silver spherical nanoparticle (Ag-NP), can be transformed into 2D-PP within van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures composed of hexagonal boron nitride and graphene (hBN/Gr composites). We show that the Dirac plasmon (DP) excitation efficiency depends on the Ag-NP radius as R3, and decreases exponentially with Ag-NP height h, so that for a certain Ag-NP geometry up to 25 % of the incident electrical field is channeled into the DP. We demonstrate that the linear plasmons (LPs) excitation efficiency can be manipulated by changing the graphene–graphene distance Δ (or hBN thickness) or by changing the number of graphene layers N. By increasing Δ and/or N the LPs move towards smaller wave vectors Q and become accessible by the Ag-NP dipole field, so that for N ≥ 5 the excitation of more than one LP is possible. These results are supported by recent scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) measurements. Furthermore, we show that Ag-NPs with specific parameters preferentially hybridizes with DPs of a particular wavelength λD, facilitating selective excitation of DPs. The obtained tuning possibilities could have a significant impact on applied plasmonics, photonics or optoelectronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work is performed to prepare new sponge nanocomposites for improving energy storage performance to satisfy cheap cost and high power. Natural rubber/ethylene propylene diene rubber (NR/EPDM) and an adhesion/lamination on cotton with different nanofillers, hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN), graphene oxide (GO), and vanadium oxide (V2O5) and subsequent are prepared and irradiation under electron beam radiation to fulfill supercapacitor criteria. The electrochemical performance is measured by three methods, cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results show that the sponge nanocomposite of NR/EPDM/h‐BN has the highest tensile strength compared to the other sponge nanocomposites. The sponge nanocomposite of NR/EPDM/h‐BN/GO has the advantages of foam‐like porosity, high foaming degree, good flexibility, and enhanced durability, which cooperatively results in excellent electrochemical behaviors, as a result of improved charge‐transfer, to satisfy the supercapacitor criteria. The cotton adhesion compatibility is affirmed through both Fourier transform infrared, X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The mechanical properties, electrochemical performance, and thermal resistance of the sponge NR/EPDM nanocomposites laminated to cotton are remarkably improved at 150 kGy, over the unirradiated sponge nanocomposites. The sponge NR/EPDM/h‐BN/GO nanocomposite‐based supercapacitor demonstrates a high specific capacitance of 55 F g−1 at a high current density of 1 A g−1, also displays excellent cycling stability, retention of ≈97% of its starting capacitance charge–discharge cycles after 1000 at 150 kGy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compares the properties of B12N12 and Si12C12 nanoclusters functionalized with tyrosine in the adsorption of organophosphorus pesticides, focusing on adsorption energy and electronic stability. The results indicate that B12N12/tyrosine exhibits more negative adsorption energies than Si12C12/tyrosine, suggesting stronger interactions and higher adsorption stability. Additionally, B12N12 demonstrates higher ionization energy and chemical hardness, enhancing its electronic stability during the adsorption process. In contrast, Si12C12 has higher electrophilicity and maximum electron transfer capacity, leading to greater variability in adsorption energy and more flexible electronic structure adjustments. These findings suggest that B12N12 nanoclusters have greater potential and application value as adsorption materials, particularly when modified with tyrosine. B12N12/tyrosine demonstrates higher stability and predictability in pesticide adsorption, making it more suitable for related applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Density functional theory has been utilized to compute the electronic and optical characteristics of zBNNRs (w = 6 and 8) doped with lithium. The results suggest that the simulated nanoribbons display properties similar to those of semiconductors. Furthermore, the graphs demonstrate that a 4% lithium doping level decreases the bandgap. The presence of lithium alters the dielectric function of boron nitride nanoribbons (BNNRs) by acting as a donor atom, thereby introducing additional electronic states within the energy bandgap. Additionally, the dopant enhances the static refractive index, particularly in the z-direction. In the energy range of 0–6 eV, both pristine zBNNRs (w = 6) and zBNNRs (w = 8) satisfy the criteria for the transverse-electric mode. Conversely, beyond 3.87 [for Li-doped zBNNRs (w = 6)] and 3.81 eV [for Li-doped zBNNRs (w = 8)], the lithium-doped nanoribbons support the transverse-magnetic plasmons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CdSe/CdS quantum rods (QRs) are excellent photoluminescent nanomaterials for display applications owing to their large Stokes shift and narrow emission line width. However, integrating QRs into phosphor-converted light-emitting diodes (Pc-LEDs) poses challenges due to their significant fluorescent quenching and long-term instability. Here, we developed a nanocomposite structure to enhance the efficiency and stability of QRs by embedding them in a layer-by-layer assembled BN nanoplate via SiO2 cross-linking. The two-dimensional SiO2/BN assembly structure facilitates effective scattering to blue light, which improves the light absorption and minimizes the required amount of QRs to suppress light reabsorption. Furthermore, the BN nanoplates provide effective heat conduction to reduce thermal-induced fluorescence quenching of QRs in Pc-LEDs. The CdSe/CdS/SiO2/BN assembly structure (QRBNs)-based Pc-LEDs demonstrate significantly improved efficiency and long-term stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of hydrogen energy is capable of solving a number of important issues that modern society is facing, including global warming and various environmental impacts. Currently, there is an intensive search for natural sources of hydrogen as well as low-carbon techniques for mass production of hydrogen from natural gas, associated petroleum gas, and water. In parallel, efforts to develop technologies for the subsequent management of hydrogen are underway, and the creation of its safe and efficient storage is one of the highest priority goals. For the transportation and storage of hydrogen today, a number of solutions are offered, each of which has both positive and negative aspects. The boron nitride family of materials with high thermal and chemical stability, variability of morphologies, and flexibility of structure has been considered as a candidate for efficient hydrogen storage. This review offers to familiarize readers with the progress in the research and application of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), as well as BN-based materials in comparison with other materials, as promising hydrogen storage. Experimental and theoretical data obtained for different morphologies and internal structures were reviewed in relevance to the material's sorption capacity with respect to hydrogen. Various approaches to improve the efficiency of hydrogen storage were analyzed, and the highest storage capabilities published were mentioned. Thus, BN-based materials are very promising as hydrogen storage, even for an automotive application, but the development of new mass production technologies should be carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In-plane heterostructures based on transition metal dichalcogenides are promising for applications in tunnel field-effect transistors (TFETs). However, the transport properties of the in-plane heterostructures have not been fully understood due to the presence of generation current derived from the in-gap state of the heterointerface. For further performance improvement, it is important to identify and suppress the origin of the in-gap states at the heterointerface. In this work, we investigated the transport properties of TFETs based on multilayer NbxMo1−xS2/MoS2 in-plane heterostructures on atomically flat hexagonal boron nitride substrate. We observed a transition from staggered gap to broken gap band alignment by electron doping to MoS2 and that band-to-band tunneling current was dominant below 80 K, a higher temperature compared with the heterostructure on an SiO2 surface. These results indicate that the use of atomically flat substrates helps reduce generation current from strain-derived in-gap states in NbxMo1−xS2/MoS2 in-plane heterostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boron nitride (BN) is a promising 2D material as well as a potential wide‐bandgap semiconductor. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is commonly used to deposit single layers or thin films of BN, but the deposition process is insufficiently understood at an atomic scale. the CVD of BN is studied using two boron precursors, the organoboranes, triethylborane, and trimethylborane. Using high resolution (scanning) transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy, this study shows that hexagonal‐BN (h‐BN) nucleates and grows epitaxially for ≈4 nm before it either polytype transforms to rhombohedral‐BN (r‐BN), turns to less ordered turbostratic‐BN or is terminated by a layer of amorphous carbon. this study proposes that the carbon in the organoboranes deposits on the epitaxially growing h‐BN surface and this either leads to the polytype transition to r‐BN, the transition to less ordered BN growth, or complete surface poisoning with carbon terminating BN growth. These results question the use of organoboranes in CVD of epitaxial BN films, and the polytype stability of h‐BN growing on graphene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Singlet oxygen (1O2) is an essential reactive species responsible for selective oxidation of organic matter, especially in Fenton‐like processes. However, due to the great limitations in synthesizing catalysts with well‐defined active sites, the controllable production and practical application of 1O2 remain challenging. Herein, guided by theoretical simulations, a series of boron nitride‐based single‐atom catalysts (BvBN/M, M=Co, Fe, Cu, Ni and Mn) were synthesized to regulate 1O2 generation by activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS). All the fabricated BvBN/M catalysts with explicit M−N3 sites promoted the self‐decomposition of the two PMS molecules to generate 1O2 with high selectivity, where BvBN/Co possessed moderate adsorption energy and d‐band center exhibited superior catalytic activity. As an outcome, the BvBN/Co‐PMS system coupled with membrane filtration technology could continuously transform aromatic alcohols to aldehydes with nearly 100 % selectivity and conversion rate under mild conditions, suggesting the potential of this novel catalytic system for green organic synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the principles of density functional theory (DFT) and nonequilibrium Green's function (NEGF), We thoroughly researched carbon-doped zigzag boron nitride nanoribbons (ZBNNRs) to understand their electronic behavior and transport properties. Intriguingly, we discovered that careful doping can transform carbon-doped ZBNNRs into a spintronic nanodevice with distinct transport features. Our model showed a giant magnetoresistance (GMR) up to a whopping 10 5 under mild bias conditions. Plus, we spotted a spin rectifier having a significant rectification ratio (RR) of 10 4 . Our calculated transmission spectra have nicely explained why there's a GMR up to 10 5 for spin-up current at biases of - 1.2 V, - 1.1 V, and - 1.0 V, and also accounted for a GMR up to 10 3 –10 5 for spin-down current at biases of 1.0 V, 1.1 V, and 1.2 V. Similarly, the transmission spectra elucidate that at biases of 1.0 V, 1.1 V, and 1.2 V for spin-up, and at biases of 1.1 V and 1.2 V for spin-down in APMO, the RRs reach 10 4 . Our research shines a light on a promising route to push forward the high-performance spintronics technology of ZBNNRs using carbon atom doping. These insights hint that our models could be game-changers in the sphere of nanoscale spintronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]