Abstract
Nano-crystalline hexagonal-boron nitride (h-BN) have promised a broad range of interesting applications due to its unique characteristics. In this work, nano-structured h-BN has synthesized by a low temperature-one step reaction of completely dissolved solution of commercial and low cost boric acid and urea fertilizer. Effect of different concentrations of urea, reaction atmosphere (air-N-2) and firing temperature (600, 800 degrees C) on the production of h-BN and type of yield were investigated. The formation of hexagonal boron nitride was proved from the binding energy for boron and nitrogen obtained from the X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS). The structural phase of the product was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). Transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) has revealed the nano structure nature of the synthesized boron nitride. The results indicated that, nano-crystalline h-BN with a crystallite size of approximate to 4.5 nm has formed at low temperature of 800 degrees C. Moreover, a good thermal stability and oxidation resistance of h-BN can be synthesized with low cost and at low temperature in the nanoscale and has high potential to be used in advanced applications.