Large-scale production of hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets by dry vibration milling at room temperature

Stable hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets (h-BNNSs) were directly exfoliated from bulk h-BN through a simple method of dry vibration milling at room temperature. SEM and TEM images demonstrate the as-prepared hBNNSs can reach 1 similar to 3 nm with a few layers when increase the vibration milling time. XRD measurements show a h-BNNSs lattice distortion after 30 h vibration milling due to increased strain and pressure on the nanosheets. Owing to the low energy consumption of dry vibration milling without the use of solvents, the nanosheets well maintain the crystal phase with a low level of defects. We believe that vibration mills are potentially attractive for high-volume production of two-dimensional materials.

Automated summary

Stable hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets (h-BNNSs) were successfully exfoliated through a simple method of dry vibration milling, leading to nanosheets with small size and low defect levels. Vibration mills show potential for high-volume production of two-dimensional materials.