One simple synthesis route to whisker-like nanocrystalline boron nitride by the reaction of NaBH4 and NaN3

Nanocrystalline boron nitride (BN) was synthesized via a simple route by the reaction of sodium borohydride with sodium azide in an autoclave at 600 °C. X-ray powder diffraction pattern indicated that the product was hexagonal BN, and the cell constant was a = 2.495 Å, c = 6.687 Å. Transmission electron microscopy image showed that it consisted of whisker-like particles with an average size of 200 nm × 20 nm. The product was also studied by FT-IR, XPS and TGA. It has good thermal stability and oxidation resistance in high temperature.