Nickel-deposited hexagonal boron nitride composites synthesized via chemical vapor deposition: unlocking enhanced magnetic properties for advanced technologies

Abstract

This study delves into the innovative deposition of nickel nanoparticles onto hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) to enhance its magnetic properties, leveraging the high specific surface area of hBN for applications in advanced technologies such as sensors, data storage, spintronics, and catalysis. High-quality hBN nanoribbons were synthesized from a boric acid and melamine precursor via a thermal process, followed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of nickel using nickelocene. Optimal deposition occurred at 190 °C, as identified by gas chromatography (GC), with initial nickelocene decomposition starting at 100 °C due to interactions with hBN's surface functional groups. Characterization techniques—including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM)—confirmed the successful formation of nickel nanoparticles on hBN. XRD revealed well-crystallized nickel in the 10 wt% Ni/hBN sample, while BET analysis indicated a reduction in specific surface area from 657 m² g⁻¹ to 580 m² g⁻¹ due to nickel-induced pore blockage. FESEM showed uniformly distributed spherical nanoparticles ranging from 30 to 50 nm in diameter, with elemental mapping confirming their dispersion. VSM analysis demonstrated enhanced magnetic properties with increased nickel loading, achieving a saturation magnetization of 1.85 emu g⁻¹ and coercivity of 150 Oe at 10 wt% Ni/hBN. This work underscores the transformative potential of CVD in engineering the magnetic properties of Ni/hBN composites, paving the way for cutting-edge technological advancements.