Few-layer boron nitride nanosheets: Preparation, characterization and application in epoxy resin

Large-scale exfoliated boron nitride nanosheets were achieved via a liquid exfoliation sonication method by using sodium fluoride and ammonium hydroxide as Lewis base compounds. The crystal structure, surface functional groups, morphology and thickness of the as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, respectively. The as-prepared samples were introduced into epoxy resin to fabricate the polymer-based composites. Experimental results showed that the layer thickness of the as-prepared nanosheets was in the range of 1 to 3 layers. Moreover, it could improve the tensile properties of the matrix. When the loading of the as-prepared nanoparticles was 0.4 wt%, the tensile strength and elongation at break of the composites reached to their maximum values 65.6 MPa and 25.9%, which were increased by 118% and 192% more than that of pure resin. In addition, the as-prepared boron nitride samples could improve the thermostability and promote the curing of the matrix.