Structurally Controlled Synthesis of BCN Materials
Abstract
Materials composed of boron, carbon and nitrogen (BCN) hold great promise for future applications. Occupying intermediate position between widely used and studied C and BN counterparts, BCN nanomaterials offer unique advantages not encountered in parent systems. Precision-engineered BCN materials can find applications as high-strength, thermally stable construction blocks for aerospace applications, superhard materials, components of H2 storage and biomedical devices, as well as for nuclear safety and security technologies. We propose to develop new synthetic tools that could be used for controlled assembly of 2D and 3D BCN systems with desired atom arrangement and connectivity. Two families of approaches will be explored- a) generation of high-energy BN and BCN intermediates, followed by their reactions with organic substrates, and b) assembling supramolecular architectures using dihydrogen bond templation, followed by dehydrogenation to produce covalently linked structures. The first approach will involve in situ generation of highly reactive unsaturated boron species, such as alkyne and benzyne BN analogs, as well as bora-analogs of conventional 1,3-dipoles, which will require finding new pathways and stable precursors for convenient access to the high energy intermediates. The second approach will involve studying supramolecular assemblies based on B – H· · · H – N dihydrogen bonding as the dominant intermolecular interaction, and finding suitable reaction conditions for curing these preassembled architectures into covalently B – N linked materials. Proposed research will be performed at North Carolina A and T State University, country’s leading HBCU, and will serve to train undergraduate and graduate students at the intersection of organic, inorganic and materials chemistry, boosting the quality of education for minority students, and introducing them to modern chemistry research.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 07, 2023
- Source ID
- FA95502110412
Entities
People
- Aleksandrs Prokofjevs
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
- United States Air Force