Thermal and chemical stability of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanoplatelets

High-temperature properties of boron nitride platelets (200-800 nm in width and 30-50 nm in thickness) were systematically evaluated through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in combination with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) studies confirmed the hexagonal graphitic-like structure of the material, while Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) indicated the active vibration modes related to the B-N bond. The specific surface area (SSA), calculated by the multi-point Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) method, was determined at similar to 23 m(2)/g through N-2 adsorption/desorption measurements at 77 K. Both high-temperature resistance and oxidation behavior were examined from room temperature (25 degrees C) up to similar to 1300 degrees C under air-flow conditions. The h-BN platelets demonstrated a high thermal stability of up to similar to 1000 degrees C, while their oxidation occurred in the temperature range between 1000 and 1200 degrees C, followed by the formation of boron oxide (B2O3). (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.