Water-dispersible boron phosphide nanosheets for enhancing the thermal conductivity of nanofluids

Boron phosphide (BP) has attracted much attention because of its outstanding physical and chemical properties. However, the poor dispersibiity of BP in water limits its broader applications. In this study, sheet-like BP nanostructure was first prepared via solid state synthesis method with the assistance of SiO2. The as-prepared BP nanosheets exhibit a thickness of ca. 4 nm and can be well dispersed in water with a concentration of 0.2 mg/mL The BP colloid was used as a metal-free nanofluid and the thermal conductivity of BP nanofluid can reach up to 1.131 W/mK, at concentration of 0.26 mg/mL Our study proposes a new way to prepare water-dispersible BP nanosheets and make BP a promising material for applications in heat transfer, catalysis, electronics, surface coating. etc. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.