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2D chemically exfoliated hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nanosheets doped with Ni: synthesis, properties and catalytic application for the treatment of industrial wastewater

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Abstract

In this study, boron nitride nanosheets (BN–NS) were prepared through exfoliation of bulk BN powder and efficacious incorporation of Ni (dopant material) was achieved using hydrothermal methodology. Hexagonal phase of BN (h-BN) was detected using x-ray difractometer (XRD). The presence of used chemicals was identified by functional group analysis through fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR), which indicated strong vibrations for B–N and B–N–B. Optical examination carried out through absorption spectra extracted from UV–vis. spectroscopy point out absorption at deep UV state. Raman spectra were obtained to affirm structural molecular fingerprints of BN. Excitons behavior was studied using photoluminescence (PL) spectroscope. Scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopes (TEM) were used to investigate morphological and microstructural features while interlayer spacing was evaluated using HRTEM micrographs. Purity of the obtained product was studied by means of EDS analysis. Catalytic activity was undertaken to inspect dye degradation which was evaluated spectrophotometrically. This study provides experimental validation to the use of two-dimensional materials, especially BN–NS, for rapid and enhanced degradation of dyes.

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Acknowledgements

Authors are thankful to Higher Education Commission Pakistan for financial support through SRGP-21-1669 and especially thankful to the Center for Engineering Research, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia for HR-TEM analysis. Authors are also grateful to MOU signed authorities between GC University and Riphah International University Lahore Campus.

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Author notes

  1. M. Ikram, J. Hassan and J. Haider are equal contributors.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Solar Cell Applications Research Lab, Government College University Lahore, Punjab, 54000, Pakistan

    M. Ikram

  2. Department of Physics, Riphah Institute of Computing and Applied Sciences (RICAS), Riphah International University, 14 Ali Road, Lahore, Pakistan

    J. Hassan, A. Raza, U. Qumar & S. Ali

  3. State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing Engineering Center for Hierarchical Catalysts, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China

    M. Imran

  4. Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, China

    J. Haider

  5. Center for Engineering Research, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia

    A. Ul-Hamid

  6. University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan

    I. Shahzadi

  7. Institute of Chemical Engineering and Technology (ICET), University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan

    M. Ikram

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Ikram, M., Hassan, J., Imran, M. et al. 2D chemically exfoliated hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nanosheets doped with Ni: synthesis, properties and catalytic application for the treatment of industrial wastewater. Appl Nanosci 10, 3525–3528 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13204-020-01439-2

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