Nanostructured and architectured boron nitride from boron, nitrogen and hydrogen-containing molecular and polymeric precursors

The controlled synthesis of boron nitride at the nanoscale with predefined and uniform nanostructures and architectures is in general a big challenge, and making full use of these materials in applications still requires great effort. In this article, recent progress on the synthesis of nanostructured and architectured boron nitride involving molecular and polymeric precursors which contain only boron, nitrogen and hydrogen are reviewed. The potential applications of these materials with controlled porosity and/or dimensions controlled at the nanoscale as zero, one, two and three dimensional materials are discussed. Finally, future prospects for boron nitride in terms of synthesis and applications are considered.