A Study on Comprehensive Production Parameters of Boron Nitride 2D Nanomaterial

In this study, BNNSs were synthesized via liquid-phase exfoliation method. Hexagonal boron nitride powders were used as the starting material. The production of boron nitride nanosheets was optimized. For this purpose, different sonication parameters and the effects of different solvents have been investigated. Different sonication power and time parameters of the homogenizer (Sonics Vibra-cell VCX, 750 W) used as the sonication parameter have been changed. In this stage, they were subjected to sonication process first for 1-1.5-2 hours at 25% sonication power, 1-1.5-2-4 hours at 50% sonication power, and 1-1.5-2-4-6-8 hours at 75% sonication power. As a result of particle size analysis, time/sonication power parameters were determined as 2 h-75%, 2 h-50%, 4 h-75%, 2 h-50%. The obtained samples were sedimented with centrifuge process, washed with distilled water to remove solvent, and dried. Different solvents were compared in the best power–time relationship. These solvents are dimethylformamide (DMF), isopropyl alcohol, N-methyl pyrrolidone, ethylene glycol. The best results were obtained in DMF. The synthesized BNNS samples were subjected to particle size (Malvern), scanning electron microscope (Zeiss, Gemini Supra 55), transmission electron microscope (Jeol Jem-1011), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (Thermo Scientific Nicolet™ iS™ 5), Raman (WITech alpha 300R), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (Specs-Flex), and x-ray diffraction analysis (PANalytical Empyrean).