Non-covalent stabilization and functionalization of boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) by organic polymers: formation of complex BNNSs-containing structures

Abstract

The straightforward non-covalent functionalization and solubilization of hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) has been achieved by reacting either polythiophene or polyvinylpyrrolidone polymers with exfoliated BNNSs. The BNNSs apparently form strong π–π stacking interactions with the polymers to yield stable derivatized nanosheets with modified properties. A number of polythiophene polymers functionalized with carboxylic acid groups that are connected to the thiophene subunit by varying numbers of CH2-hydrocarbon linker units have also been tethered to the exfoliated BNNSs. These BNNS–polythiophene–(CH2)n–COOH structures have been further coordinated to pre-formed TiO2 nanoparticles to form more complex BNNS–polythiophene–(CH2)n–COO–TiO2 hybrid nanomaterials through covalent binding between the TiO2 nanoparticle surface and the carboxylic acid functional group of the BNNS–polythiophene unit. These novel structures have been characterized by SEM, TEM, FTIR, UV–Vis, and other spectroscopic data.