Two dimensional (2D) reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) based nanocomposites as anodes for high temperature rechargeable lithium-ion batteries

With lithium-ion (li-ion) batteries as energy storage devices, operational safety from thermal runaway remains a major obstacle especially for applications in harsh environments such as in the oil industry. In this approach, a facile method via microwave irradiation technique (MWI) was followed to prepare Co3O4/reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanocomposites as anodes for high temperature li-ion batteries. Results showed that the addition of h-BN not only enhanced the thermal stability of Co3O4/RGO nanocomposites but also enhanced the specific surface area. Co3O4/RGO/h-BN nanocomposites displayed the highest specific surface area of 191 m2/g evidencing the synergistic effects between RGO and h-BN. Moreover, Co3O4/RGO/h-BN also displayed the highest specific capacity with stable reversibility on the high performance after 100 cycles and lower internal resistance. Interestingly, this novel nanocomposite exhibits outstanding high temperature performances with excellent cycling stability (100% capacity retention) and a decreased internal resistance at 150 °C.

Nonlinear absorption and nonlinear refraction in a chemical vapor deposition-grown, ultrathin hexagonal boron nitride film

An ultrathin hexagonal boron nitride film is synthesized by a method of chemical vapor deposition. Irradiated by femtosecond laser pulses in the visible spectrum of 400-800 nm, it exhibits multiphoton absorption and positive nonlinear refraction properties. The two-photon and three-photon absorption coefficients are of the order of 10^-5  cm W^-1 and 10^-14  cm³ W^-2, respectively. The nonlinear refraction coefficient is as large as ∼10^-8  cm² W^-1. These nonlinear coefficients lead to figures of merit that meet the material requirements for all-optical switching devices.

Self-organized graphene-like boron nitride containing nanoflakes on copper by low-temperature N2 + H2 plasma

A simple and efficient method for synthesizing complex graphene-inspired BNCO nanoflakes by plasma-enhanced hot filament chemical vapour deposition using B₄C as a precursor and N₂/H₂ reactive gases is reported.

Emergence of fluorescence in boron nitride nanoflakes and its application in bioimaging

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanoflakes show fluorescence and can be used for bio-imaging.