Some intercalation compounds of boron nitride

Abstract

Boron nitride has been investigated with a view to establishing whether or not it undergoes intercalation. Several classes of compound have been investigated to determine the extent of the analogy between boron nitride and graphite in this type of reaction. Reactions with strong acids, with halogens, with metal halides and with alkali metals have been studied. The primary mode of investigation has been by use of X-ray diffraction, and where possible Mössbauer Spectroscopy has been employed. The alkali metals and some transition metal halides were found to readily intercalate into boron nitride, and some evidence is presented for the formation of other classes of intercalation compound. A short, approximate, theoretical treatment of the energies of intercalation is also presented, and this is discussed in light of the available experimental evidence.