A high-yield ionic liquid-promoted synthesis of boron nitride nanosheets by direct exfoliation

Boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) with micron-sized edges were prepared in high yields by direct exfoliation of bulk hexagonal boron nitrides using ionic liquids (ILs). The ILs strongly attached onto BNNS surfaces, and dramatically enhanced the exfoliation, giving highly concentrated BNNS dispersions (∼1.9 mg mL(-1)) and yields reaching ∼50%.