Layered structure transformations and exfoliation of h-BN during thermal cycling

Understanding structural transformation of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) at elevated temperatures is critical to obtain 2D-h-BN through thermal exfoliation. Therefore, in-situ X-ray diffraction data is collected from h-BN powders while subjecting them to a thermal cycle. The potential to define the structure order during temperature variations is revealed by using an index (I3D). It was revealed that no direct correlation with the degree of exfoliation of layered structure and the structural order change during thermal cycling. Furthermore, particle size dependence of the structure order under elevated temperature is also mapped.