New phase of boron nitride discovered
22 Feb 2016 by Evoluted New Media
US scientists have discovered a new phase of boron nitride with potential applications for manufacturing tools and electronic displays.
US scientists have discovered a new phase of boron nitride with potential applications for manufacturing tools and electronic displays.
This phase of boron nitride (Q-BN) has a low negative electron affinity, resulting in it glowing in the dark when exposed to very low electrical field levels. It is believed this makes it an ideal material for energy-efficient displays.
Dr Jay Narayan, from NCSU, said: “We have bypassed what were thought to be the limits of boron nitride's thermodynamics with the help of kinetics and time control to create this new phase of boron nitride.”
Q-BN is believed to be harder than diamond and holds an advantage in creating cutting tools as it does not react with iron and ferrous material. It has an amorphous nature and could be used to coat cutting tools.
In addition, the researchers from North Carolina State University (NCSU) have developed a new technique for creating cubic boron nitride (C-BN) at ambient air pressure and temperatures that is faster and less costly.
High-power electronic, transistors and solid state devices are some potential uses for C-BN. Micro and nanoneedles made from C-BN could be used in biomedical devices.
Dr Narayan added: “We have also created diamond/C-BN crystalline composites for next-generation high-speed machining and deep-sea drilling applications.
“We're optimistic that our discovery will be used to develop C-BN-based transistors and high-powered devices to replace bulky transformers and help create the next generation of the power grid,” he said.
The findings were published in APL Materials.
