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

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 degrees 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.