Modified 'white graphene' for eco-friendly energy

Modified 'white graphene' for eco-friendly energy
Catalyst with functionalized hexagonal boron nitride and nickel nanoparticles. Credit: Tomsk Polytechnic University

Scientists from Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU), together with colleagues from the United States and Germany, have found a way to obtain inexpensive catalysts from hexagonal boron nitride or "white graphene." The technology can be used in the production of environmentally friendly hydrogen fuel.

The researchers have found a new way to functionalize a dielectric, otherwise known as white graphene, i.e. (hBN), without destroying it or changing its properties. Thanks to the new method, the researchers synthesized a polymer nano carpet with strong covalent bond on the samples.

Prof Raul Rodriguez from the TPU Research School of Chemistry & Applied Biomedical Sciences explains:

"For the first time, we have managed to covalently functionalize hexagonal without strong chemical compositions and the introduction of new defects into the material. In fact, earlier approaches had resulted in a different material with altered properties, i.e. hydrolyzed boron nitride. In our turn, we used nanodefects existing in the material without increasing their number, and eco-friendly photopolymerization."

One of the promising options for using the new material, according to researchers, is catalysts for splitting water in hydrogen and oxygen. With this in mind, polymer carpets functioned as carriers of active substances, i.e. matrices. Nickel nanoparticles were integrated into the matrix. Catalysts obtained were used for electrocatalysis. Studies showed that they could be successfully used as an alternative to expensive platinum or gold.

"One of the important challenges in catalysis is forcing the starting material to reach active centers of the catalyst. "Polymer carpets form a 3D structure that helps to increase the area of contact of the active centers of the catalyst with water and makes hydrogen acquisition more efficient. It is very promising for the production of environmentally friendly hydrogen fuel," says the scientist.

Boron nitride is a binary compound of boron and nitrogen, while hexagonal boron nitride or white graphene is a white talc-like powder with a hexagonal, graphene-like lattice. It is resistant to and chemical substances, nontoxic, has a very low coefficient of friction, and functions both as a perfect dielectric and as a good heat conductor. Boron-nitride materials are widely used in the reactions of industrial organic synthesis, in the cracking of oil, for the manufacturing of products of high-temperature technology, the production of semiconductors, means for extinguishing fires, and so on.

Previously, a number of studies were devoted to the functionalization of hexagonal . Typically, this process uses strong chemical oxidants that not only destroy the material but also significantly change its properties. The method, which TPU scientists and their foreign colleagues use, allows them to avoid this.

"Studies have shown that we obtained homogenous and durable polymer carpets which can be removed from the supporting substrate and used separately. What's more, this is a fairly universal technology since for functionalization we used different monomers which allow obtaining with properties optimal for use in various devices," says Prof Raul Rodriguez.

More information: Wenbo Sheng et al, Polymer Brushes on Hexagonal Boron Nitride, Small (2019). DOI: 10.1002/smll.201805228

Journal information: Small

Citation: Modified 'white graphene' for eco-friendly energy (2019, April 22) retrieved 28 March 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2019-04-white-graphene-eco-friendly-energy.html
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