Functionalized Boron Nitride Porous Solids

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), white graphene in the inorganic regime, is well known for its chemical inertness. Recent studies indicate that functionalization of h-BN can tune its physico-chemical properties, including its electrical conductivity. Here we propose a method for the functionalization of h-BN flakes with various oxygen functionalities to make graphite oxide analogue of h-BN, in a view to develop cross-linked, low-density (~40 mg/cm3), and porous h-BN solids, as it is recently well cited for graphene and graphite oxide. For the first time, macro-porous low density h-BN monolith foam is developed via a single step template free chemical route followed by a lyophilisation process. h-BN is known for its high thermal stability, and here the oil adsorption by the sponge (~2g/g) and complete burning of the adsorbed oil without disrupting the h-BN skeleton are demonstrated indicating the flexibility of tuning the morphology of h-BN in bulk, like graphite, without losing its inherent physical properties, opening new avenues for h-BN in energy and environment related fields