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Title: Nanoscale structure and superhydrophobicity of sp2-bonded boron nitride aerogels

Journal Article · · Nanoscale
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1039/c5nr01672j· OSTI ID:2007259
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [2];  [3];  [4];  [2];  [2];  [5];  [1]
  1. Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States); Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
  2. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
  3. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States). Advanced Light Source (ALS)
  4. Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA (United States); Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
  5. Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States)
+ Show Author Affiliations

Aerogels have much potential in both research and industrial applications due to their high surface area, low density, and fine pore size distribution. Here we report a thorough structural study of three-dimensional aerogels composed of highly crystalline sp2-bonded boron nitride (BN) layers synthesized by a carbothermic reduction process. The structure, crystallinity and bonding of the as-prepared BN aerogels are elucidated by X-ray diffraction, 11B nuclear magnetic resonance, transmission electron microscopy, and resonant soft X-ray scattering. The macroscopic roughness of the aerogel's surface causes it to be superhydrophobic with a contact angle of ~155° and exhibit high oil uptake capacity (up to 1500 wt%). In conclusion, the oil can be removed from the BN aerogel by oxidizing in air without damaging the crystalline porous structure of the aerogel or diminishing its oil absorption capacity.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); UC Lab Fees Research Program; USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; US Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR); National Science Foundation (NSF)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC52-07NA27344; AC02-05CH11231; 12-LR-235323; 13-LW-099; X10-8049-C; EEC-0832819
OSTI ID:
2007259
Report Number(s):
LLNL-JRNL-736480; 888593
Journal Information:
Nanoscale, Vol. 7, Issue 23; ISSN 2040-3364
Publisher:
Royal Society of ChemistryCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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