Phase Transformation of Boron Nitride Nanoparticles in Aniline under Moderate Conditions

Abstract

In order to synthesize sp³-bonded phases wurtzitic boron nitride (wBN) and cubic boron nitride (cBN) at moderate conditions, phase transformations of boron nitride (BN) nanoparticles in aniline were investigated in terms of temperature, pressure and surface modification by solvothermal hot-press method. The results reveal that sp³-bonded phases wBN and cBN formed at quite low temperature (250~280 °C) and low pressure (15~250 MPa) because the incorporation of bonding interactions between aniline and BN nanoparticles would induce the formation of sp³-bonded configurations with minimum energy. A simple model was proposed to explore the phase transformation mechanism of BN nanoparticles in aniline under hot-press conditions.