The Chemical Exfoliation of Hexagonal Boron Nitride for Radiation Sensing
Open Access
Author:
Kelly, Michael Andrew
Area of Honors:
Engineering Science
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Joshua Alexander Robinson, Thesis Supervisor Barbara A. Shaw, Thesis Honors Advisor Judith A Todd Copley, Faculty Reader
Keywords:
boron nitride chemical exfoliation sonication centrifugation dynamic light scattering scanning electron microscopy
Abstract:
This project entailed the synthesis and characterization of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanosheets via chemical exfoliation. The exfoliation procedure involved the bath sonication of h-BN powders in various solvents, followed by centrifugation. Nanofilms were prepared by means of spin coating and drop casting onto Si-based substrates. Using characterization techniques such as Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), h-BN particle sizes were measured. This report effectively shows the significant particle agglomeration effect due to increasing ultrasonication times.
Included in this report are the methods of exfoliation, characterization data from the fore mentioned techniques, conductivity measurements, and applications for radiation sensing.
