Template-free synthesis of highly porous boron nitride: insights into pore network design and impact on gas sorption
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Marchesini, S
McGilvery, CM
Bailey, J
Petit, C
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Production of biocompatible and stable porous materials, e.g., boron nitride, exhibiting tunable and enhanced porosity is a prerequisite if they are to be employed to address challenges such as drug delivery, molecular separations, or catalysis. However, there is currently very limited understanding of the formation mechanisms of porous boron nitride and the parameters controlling its porosity, which ultimately prevents exploiting the material’s full potential. Herein, we produce boron nitride with high and tunable surface area and micro/mesoporosity via a facile template-free method using multiple readily available N-containing precursors with different thermal decomposition patterns. The gases are gradually released, creating hierarchical pores, high surface areas (>1900 m2/g), and micropore volumes. We use 3D tomography techniques to reconstruct the pore structure, allowing direct visualization of the mesopore network. Additional imaging and analytical tools are employed to characterize the materials from the micro- down to the nanoscale. The CO2 uptake of the materials rivals or surpasses those of commercial benchmarks or other boron nitride materials reported to date (up to 4 times higher), even after pelletizing. Overall, the approach provides a scalable route to porous boron nitride production as well as fundamental insights into the material’s formation, which can be used to design a variety of boron nitride structures.
Date Issued
2017-10-24
Date Acceptance
2017-09-11
Citation
ACS Nano, 2017, 11 (10), pp.10003-10011
ISSN
1936-0851
Publisher
American Chemical Society
Start Page
10003
End Page
10011
Journal / Book Title
ACS Nano
Volume
11
Issue
10
Copyright Statement
© 2017 American Chemical Society. This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in ACS Nano, after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.7b04219
Sponsor
BP International Limited
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000413992800043&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Grant Number
75195/ICAM18 (IC)
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Technology
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chemistry, Physical
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Chemistry
Science & Technology - Other Topics
Materials Science
boron nitride
adsorption
porosity
CO2 capture
activation
TEM tomography
template-free synthesis
EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE
MESOPOROUS BN
CO2 CAPTURE
CARBON
ADSORPTION
NANOSHEETS
STORAGE
SILICA
CO2 capture
TEM tomography
activation
adsorption
boron nitride
porosity
template-free synthesis
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2017-09-11