Aqueous soluble boron nitride nanosheets via anionic compound-assisted exfoliation

Few-layered boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) were prepared in presence of poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) or sodium perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylate as dispersion and stabilization agents in water by exfoliation of commercial bulk h-BN powder. Taking advantages of the hydrophobic and/or pi-stacking interactions between BNNS surface and aromatic rings in dispersion agents, the resulting BNNS dispersion was homogenous and stable for a month without precipitation. Microscopic and spectroscopic results revealed that the bulk h-BN materials were intercalated and exfoliated down to 1-2 nm thick sheets. This study provided a facile and efficient method to produce BNNSs in aqueous solution.