Fabrication of hexagonal boron nitride quantum dots via a facile bottom-up technique

Abstract The smaller size of the Boron nitride quantum dots (BNQDs) leads to the quantization of energy due to the confinement of electrons and holes. As a result, it behaves like an artificial atom with higher quantum yield. Unlike, previously used complex and lengthy experimental procedures, a facile bottom-up technique based on nanoscale precursors and dual roles of ammonia gas has been developed to synthesize BNQDs in 25 min growth duration at 1200 °C. Shape and morphology of the synthesized BNQDs look like beads of different sizes. Fast Fourier transform (FFT) shows a hexagonal atomic structure of the synthesized BNQDs whereas XPS, Raman, and XRD confirms the Boron and Nitrogen elemental compositions and hexagonal phase of the synthesized sample. The as-synthesized BNQDs has excellent properties for a variety of potential applications in the fields of biomedical (for bioimaging and drug delivery), microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), catalysis, sensors, and solid-state neutron detectors.