Coating performance of hexagonal boron nitride and graphene layers

Abstract The shrinking size and compact structure of modern precision equipment require ultra-thin but reliable functional coating. Few layers of hexagonal boron nitride ( h -BN) and graphene have a dense hexagonal lattice, distinguished electrical conductivity, good lubricity, excellent thermal and chemical stability, and can be both fabricated in large area with high quality, making them ideal candidates for atomically thin multifunctional coatings. In this review, we summarize the performance of h -BN and graphene coatings from four aspects, anti-corrosion and anti-oxidation, wetting, lubrication and electromagnetic interference shielding. Possible failure routes for their long term protection against oxidation and corrosion are comprehensively discussed, accompanying with the optimization routes. We further suggest prospects for developments of h -BN and graphene coatings.