Title: Synthesis and characterisation of reduced graphene oxide-boron nitride nanotubes hybrid

Authors: Akesh B. Kakarla; Cin Kong; Wei Kong; Ing Kong

Addresses: School of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Victoria, 3552, Australia ' Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Jalan Broga, 43500 Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia ' Centre of Foundation and General Studies, Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Ikram-Uniten, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia ' School of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Victoria 3552, Australia

Abstract: Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) have unique features but show different properties. Typically, BNNT with a bandgap of 6 eV is an electrically insulating material, while graphene can be a metallic or semiconducting material. In this study, rGO was synthesised by Hummer's method and reduction process. BNNTs were produced from co-precipitation. The production of a new hybrid structure of rGO and BNNTs was performed by using the liquid-phase exfoliation and sonication method. The morphological evaluation of the hybrid showed that layers were successfully exfoliated. The BNNTs were effectively incorporated with rGO layers. The composite layers were overlapped and transparent, where the BNNTs under the rGO layers were clearly visible. The absorption analysis showed that the hybrid absorbed more light than pure rGO and BNNTs. As a result of the analyses, it was evident that the hybrid nanocomposite containing rGO and BNNTs were successfully produced.

Keywords: hybrid; rGO; reduced graphene oxide; BNNTs; boron nitride nanotubes; liquid phase exfoliation; sonication.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNT.2020.112381

International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2020 Vol.17 No.11/12, pp.779 - 786

Published online: 13 Jan 2021 *

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