Towards Integration of Two-Dimensional Hexagonal Boron Nitride (2D h-BN) in Energy Conversion and Storage Devices

The prominence of two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride (2D h-BN) nanomaterials in the energy industry has recently grown rapidly due to their broad applications in newly developed energy systems. This was necessitated as a response to the demand for mechanically and chemically stable platforms with superior thermal conductivity for incorporation in next-generation energy devices. Conventionally, the electrical insulation and surface inertness of 2D h-BN limited their large integration in the energy industry. However, progress on surface modification, doping, tailoring the edge chemistry, and hybridization with other nanomaterials paved the way to go beyond those conventional characteristics. The current application range, from various energy conversion methods (e.g., thermoelectrics) to energy storage (e.g., batteries), demonstrates the versatility of 2D h-BN nanomaterials for the future energy industry. In this review, the most recent research breakthroughs on 2D h-BN nanomaterials used in energy-based applications are discussed, and future opportunities and challenges are assessed.

BN nanoflake quantum-dot arrays: structural stability, and electronic and half-metallic properties

One-dimensional arrays constructed by triangular h-BN nanoflakes are studied. It is found that the linking manner plays a crucial role in electronic and half-metallic properties and the traversed electric field further enhances half-metallicity.

Spectacular enhancement of thermoelectric phenomena in chemically synthesized graphene nanoribbons with substitution atoms

We analyze theoretically the transport and thermoelectric properties of graphene nanoribbons of a specific geometry, which have been synthesized recently from polymers [Cai, et al., Nature, 2011, 466, 470]. When such nanoribbons are modified at one of the two edges by Al or N substitutions, they acquire a ferromagnetic moment localized at the modified edge. We present numerical results on the electronic structure and thermoelectric properties (including also spin thermoelectricity) of the modified nanoribbons. The results show that such nanoribbons can display large thermoelectric efficiency in certain regions of chemical potential, where the corresponding electric and spin figures of merit achieve unusually large values. The enhancement of thermoelectric efficiency follows from a reduced phonon heat conductance of the nanoribbons and from their peculiar electronic band structure. Thus, such nanoribbons are promising for practical applications in nanoelectronic and spintronic devices.