Journal
NANOSCALE
Volume 12, Issue 32, Pages 17121-17131Publisher
ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY
DOI: 10.1039/d0nr03677c
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Funding
- IIT Gandhinagar
- Department of Science and Technology India [EMR/2017/000730, DST/INSPIRE/04/2014/001601]
- Armament Research Board, Defense Research & Development Organization, India [ARMREB/CDSW/2019/219]
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Titanium diboride (TiB2), a layered ceramic material, is well-known for its ultrahigh strength, wear resistance, and chemical inertness. In this work, we present a simple one-pot chemical approach that yields sheet-like nanostructures from TiB2. We serendipitously found that TiB(2)crystals can undergo complete dissolution in a mild aqueous solution of H(2)O(2)under ambient conditions. This unexpected dissolution of TiB(2)is followed by non-classical recrystallization that results in nanostructures with sheet-like morphology exhibiting Ti-O and B-O functional groups. We show that this pathway can be used to obtain an aqueous dispersion of nanosheets with concentrations >= 3 mg mL(-1). Interestingly, these nanosheets tend to transform into a hydrogel without the need of any additives. We found that the degree of gelation depends on the ratio of TiB(2)to H2O2, which can be tuned to achieve gels with a shear modulus of 0.35 kPa. We also show this aqueous dispersion of nanosheets is processable and forms hierarchical paper-like macrostructures upon vacuum filtration. Such an ability to assemble into free-standing 3D structures would enable a leap to practical applications. We also show that the high surface area and presence of oxy-functional groups on these nanosheets endow them a superior photocatalytic activity to degrade organic pollutants. This exemplifies the rich potential that TiB(2)offers upon nanoscaling. The results presented here not only add a novel material to the 2D flatland but also urge the scientific community to revisit the chemistry of metal borides, that have been traditionally considered as relatively inert ceramics.
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