Adsorption Properties of Langmuir–Blodgett and Magnetron Boron Nitride Nanofilms on Polyamide Fabrics

Abstract

The relevance of this work lies in addressing the critical need for advanced functional materials for adsorption-based purification that satisfy modern requirements of efficiency, stability, and selectivity under increasing anthropogenic pressure on ecosystems. Boron nitride (BN) has emerged as a highly promising candidate owing to its exceptional thermal stability and chemical inertness. However, the integration of BN nanostructures onto flexible substrates remains a major scientific challenge. In this study, Langmuir–Blodgett and magnetron-sputtered BN nanofilms were fabricated on polyamide fabrics and characterized using SEM-EDS, Raman spectroscopy, XRD, and spectrophotometry. The analysis showed that the Langmuir–Blodgett method produces ordered layered h-BN structures, whereas magnetron sputtering results in heterophase systems (h-BN, c-BN, β-B). Spectrophotometric studies of composite film materials (CFMs) obtained from stearic-acid-stabilized h-BN nanoparticles revealed a 7.6% greater reduction in the concentration of model colloidal Fe(OH)₃ compared with pristine PA-6. Quantum-chemical calculations confirmed enhanced adsorption energy: E_ads = –1.86 eV for functionalized h-BN CFMs versus –0.85 eV for unmodified PA-6. These findings demonstrate the potential of the developed CFMs as next-generation filtration materials with superior performance, laying the groundwork for engineering tailored nanofilms for environmental remediation and advanced separation technologies—particularly in water treatment and pollution control, where conventional materials approach their operational limits. Overall, this study provides important insights into structure-property relationships in nanofilm-based filtration systems and highlights sustainable materials-science-driven solutions for addressing contemporary environmental challenges.