• Journal of Surface Science and Engineering
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.87-92
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• 2006

The characteristic of interface layer and the effect of bias voltage on the microstructure of c-BN films were studied in the microwave plasma hot filament C.V.D process. c-BN films were deposited on a high speed steel(SKH-51) substrate by hot filament CVD technique assisted with a microwave plasma to develop a high performance of resistance coating tool. c-BN films were obtained at a gas pressure of 20 Torr, vias voltage of 300 V and substrate temperature of $800^{\circ}C$ in $B_2H_6-NH_3-H_2$ gas system. It was found that a thin layer of hexagonal boron nitride(h-BN) phase exists at the interface between c-BN layer and substrate.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2014.02a
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• pp.185.2-185.2
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• 2014

We have studied the atomic and electronic structure of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) on a hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) sheet with intercalated atoms using first-principles calculations. The h-BN sheet is an insulator with the band gap about 6 eV and then it may a good candidate as a supporting dielectric substrate for graphene-based nanodevices. Especially, the h-BN sheet has the similar bond structure as graphene with a slightly longer lattice constant. For the computation, we use the Vienna ab initio simulation package (VASP). The generalized gradient approximation (GGA) in the form of the PBE-type parameterization is employed. The ions are described via the projector augmented wave potentials, and the cutoff energy for the plane-wave basis is set to 400 eV. To include weak van der Waals (vdW) interactions, we adopt the Grimme's DFT-D2 vdW correction based on a semi-empirical GGA-type theory. Our calculations reveal that the localized states appear at the zigzag edge of the GNR on the h-BN sheet due to the flat band of the zigzag edge at the Fermi level and the localized states rapidly decay into the bulk. The open-edged graphene with a large corrugation allows some space between graphene and h-BN sheet. Therefore, atoms or molecules can be intercalated between them. We have considered various types of atoms for intercalation. The atoms are initially placed at the edge of the GNR or inserted in between GNR and h-BN sheet to find the effect of intercalated atoms on the atomic and electronic structure of graphene. We find that the impurity atoms at the edge of GNR are more stable than in between GNR and h-BN sheet for all cases considered. The nickel atom has the lowest energy difference of ~0.2 eV, which means that it is relatively easy to intercalate the Ni atom in this structure. Finally, the magnetic properties of intercalated atoms between GNR and h-BN sheet are investigated.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2013.05a
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• pp.97-97
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• 2013

We present a comprehensive study on the integration of h-BN with silicon MOSFET. Temperature dependent mobility modeling is used to discern the effects of top-gate dielectric on carrier transport and identify limiting factors of the system. The result indicates that coulomb scattering and surface roughness scattering are the dominant scattering mechanisms for silicon MOSFETs at relatively low temperature. Interposing a layer of h-BN between $SiO_2$ and Si effectively weakens coulomb scattering by separating carriers in the silicon inversion layer from the charged centers as 2-dimensional h-BN is relatively inert and is expected to be free of dangling bonds or surface charge traps owing to the strong, in-plane, ionic bonding of the planar hexagonal lattice structure, thus leading to a significant improvement in mobility relative to undecorated system. Furthermore, the atomically planar surface of h-BN also suppresses surface roughness scattering in this Si MOSFET system, resulting in a monotonously increasing mobility curve along with gate voltage, which is different from the traditional one with a extremum in a certain voltage. Alternatively, high-k dielectrics can lead to enhanced transport properties through dielectric screening. Modeling indicates that we can achieve even higher mobility by using h-BN decorated $HfO_2$ as gate dielectric in silicon MOSFETs instead of h-BN decorated $SiO_2$.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.43-48
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• 2023

In this study, we investigate the tribological behavior of AISI 304 stainless steel pairs under deionized water and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) water dispersion lubrication. The specimen friction and wear properties are evaluated using a reciprocating ball-on-flat tribometer. The coefficient of friction remains nearly constant throughout the test under both lubricant conditions. The wear depth of the specimens under h-BN lubrication is smaller than that under deionized water lubrication, indicating the inhibition behavior of h-BN nanolubricants on direct metal-metal contacts. Optical micrographs and stylus profilometer measurements are performed to evaluate the severity of damage caused by the sliding motion and to determine the wear morphology of the specimens, respectively. The results show that h-BN nanolubricants does not have a significant effect on the friction behavior but demonstrates reduced wear owing to their trapping effect between the sliding interfaces. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy images of the specimens were acquired to confirm the trapping effect of h-BN between the sliding interfaces. The results also suggest that the trapped lubricants can distribute the contact pressure, reducing the wear damage caused by the metal-metal contact at the interface. In conclusion, h-BN nanolubricants have potential as an anti-wear additive for lubrication applications. Further investigation is needed to provide direct evidence of the trapping effect of h-BN nanoparticles between the sliding interfaces. These findings could lead to the development of more efficient and effective lubricants for various industrial applications.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.20 no.8
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• pp.444-449
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• 2010

Transparent ceramics are used in new technology because of their excellent mechanical properties over glasses. Transparent ceramics are nowadays widely used in armor, laser windows, and in high temperature applications. Silicon nitride ceramics have excellent mechanical properties and if transparent silicon nitride is fabricated, it can be widely used. h-BN has a lubricating property and is ductile. Therefore, adding h-BN to silicon nitride ceramics gives a lubricating property and is also machinable. Translucent silicon nitride was fabricated by hot-press sintering (HPS) and 57% transmittance was observed in the near infrared region. A higher wt. % of h-BN in silicon nitride ceramics does not favor transparency. The optical, mechanical, and tribological properties of BN dispersed polycrystalline $Si_3N_4$ ceramics were affected by the density, ${\alpha}:{\beta}$-phase ratio, and content of h-BN in sintered ceramics. The hot pressed samples were prepared from the mixture of $\alpha-Si_3N_4$, AlN, MgO, and h-BN at $1850^{\circ}C$. The composite contained from 0.25 to 2 wt. % BN powder with sintering aids (9% AlN + 3% MgO). A maximum transmittance of 57% was achieved for the 0.25 wt. % BN doped $Si_3N_4$ ceramics. Fracture toughness increased and wear volume and the friction coefficient decreased with an increase in BN content. The properties such as transmittance, density, hardness, and flexural strength decreased with an increase in content of h-BN in silicon nitride ceramics.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 1999.07a
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• pp.114-114
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• 1999

Boron nitride (BN)는 매우 뛰어난 물리적, 화학적 성질을 가지고 있는 재료로 많은 연구가 진행되고 있다. hexagonal 형태의 hBN의 경우 큰 전기 저항과 열 전도도를 가지고 있고 열적 안정성을 가지고 있어 반도체 소자에서 절연층으로 쓰일 수 있다. 또한 X-ray와 가시광선을 투과시키기 때문에 X-ray와 가시광선을 투과시키기 때문에 X-ray lithography이 mask 기판으로 사용될 수 있다. Boron-carbon-nitrogen (BCN) 역시 뛰어난 기계적 성질과 투명성을 가지고 있어 보호 코팅이나 X-ray lithography에 이용될 수 있다. 또한 원자 조성이나 구성을 변화시켜 band gap을 조절할 수 있는 가능성을 가지고 있기 때문에 전기, 광소자의 재료로 이용될 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 여러 합성 조건 변화에 따른 hBN 막의 합성 거동을 관찰하고, 카본 농도변화에 따른 BCN 막의 기계적 성질과 구조의 변화, 그리고 실리콘 첨가에 의한 물성 변화를 관찰하였다. BN박막은 실리콘 (100) 기판 위에 r.f. plasma assisted CVD를 이용하여 합성하였다. 합성 압력 0.015 torr, 원료 가스로 BCl3 1.5 sccm, NH3 6sccm을 Ar 15 sccm을 사용하여 기판 bias (-300~-700V)와 합성온도 (상온~50$0^{\circ}C$)를 변화시켜 BN막을 합성하였다. BCN 박막은 상온에서 기판 bias를 -700V로 고정시킨 후 CH4 공급량과 Ar 가스의 첨가 유무를 변화시켜 합성하였다. 또한 SiH4 가스를 이용하여 실리콘을 함유하는 Si-BCN 막을 합성하였다. 합성된 BN 막의 경우, 기판 bias와 합성 온도가 증가할수록 증착속도는 감소하는 경향을 보여 주었다. 기판 bias와 합성온도에 따른 구조 변화를 SEM과 Xray로 분석하였다. 상온에서 합성한 경우는 표면형상이 비정질 형태를 나타내었고, X-ray peak이 거의 관찰되지 않았다. 합성온도가 증가하게 되면 hBN (100) peak이 나타나게 되고 이것은 합성된 막이 turbostratic BN (tBN) 형태를 가지고 있다는 것을 나타낸다. 50$0^{\circ}C$의 합성 온도에서 기판 bias가 -300V에서 hBN (002) peak이 관찰되었고, -500, -700 V에서는 hBN (100) peak만이 관찰되었다. 따라서 고온에서의 큰 ion bombardment는 합성되는 막의 결정성을 저해하는 요소로 작용한다는 것을 확인 할 수 있었다. 합성된 BN 막은 ball on disk type의 tribometer를 이용하여 마모 거동을 관찰한 결과 대부분 1이상의 매우 큰 friction coefficient를 나타내었고, nano-indenter로 측정한 BN막의 hardness는 매우 soft한 막에서부터 10 GPa 정도 까지의 값을 나타내었고, nano-indenter로 측정한 BN 막의 hardness는 매우 soft한 막에서부터 10GPa 정도 까지의 값을 가지며 변하였다. 합성된 BCN, Si-BCN 막은 FT-IR, Raman, S-ray, TEM 분석을 통하여 그 구조와 합성된 상에 관하여 분석하였다. FT-IR 분석을 통해 B-N 결합과 C-N 결합을 확인할 수 있었고, Raman 분석을 통하여 DLC의 특성을 분석하였다. 마모 거동에서는 BCN 막의 경우 0.6~0.8 정도의 friction coefficient를 나타내었고 Si-BCN 막은 0.3이하의 낮은 friction coefficient를 나타내었다. Hardness는 carbon의 함유량과 Ar 가스의 첨가 유무에 따라 각각을 측정하였고 이것은 BN 막 보다 향상된 값을 나타내었다.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.503-508
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• 2020

The mechanical properties and microstructures of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN)-reinforced cement composites are experimentally studied for three and seven curing days. Various sizes (5, 10, and 18 ㎛) and concentrations (0.1%, 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1.0%) of h-BN are dispersed by the tip ultrasonication method in water and incorporated into the cement composite. The compressive strength of the h-BN reinforced cements increases by 40.9%, when 0.5 wt% of 18 ㎛-sized h-BN is added. However, the compressive strength decreases when the 1.0 wt% cement composite is added, owing to the aggregation of the h-BNs in the cement composite. The microstructural characterization of the h-BN-reinforced cement composite indicates that the h-BNs act as bridges connecting the cracks, resulting in improved mechanical properties for the reinforced cement composite.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.221-231
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• 2018

A new procedure to produce poly(vinylidene fluoride)/boron nitride hybrid membrane is presented for application in membrane distillation (MD) process. The influence of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) incorporation on the performance of the polymeric membranes is studied through the present investigation. For this aim, h-BN nanopowders were successfully synthesized using the simple chemical vapor deposition (CVD) route and subsequent solvent treatments. The resulting h-BN nanosheets were blended with poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) solution. Then, the prepared composite solution was subjected to phase inversion process to obtain PVDF/h-BN hybrid membranes. Various examinations such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), wettability, permeation flux, mechanical strength and liquid entry pressure (LEP) measurements are performed to evaluate the prepared membrane. Moreover, Air gap membrane distillation (AGMD) experiments were carried out to investigate the salt rejection performance and the durability of membranes. The results show that our hybrid PVDF/h-BN membrane presents higher water permeation flux (${\sim}18kg/m^2h$) compared to pristine PVDF membrane. In addition, the experimental data confirms that the prepared nanocomposite membrane is hydrophobic (water contact angle: ${\sim}103^{\circ}$), has a porous skin layer (>85%), as well competitive fouling resistance and operational durability. Furthermore, the total salt rejection efficiency was obtained for PVDF/h-BN membrane. The results prove that the novel PVDF/h-BN membrane can be easily synthesized and applied in MD process for salt rejection purposes.

• Journal of Surface Science and Engineering
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.523-530
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• 2017

In this study, we developed the h-BN interphase for ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) through a wet chemical coating method, which has excellent price competitiveness and is a simple process as a departure from the existing high cost chemical vapor deposition method. The optimum condition for nitriding an h-BN interphase using boric acid and urea as precursors were derived, and the h-BN interphase coating through a wet method on a carbon preform of 2.5 D was conducted to apply the optimum conditions to the CMCs. In order to control the coating property via the wet coating method, four parameters were investigated such as dipping time of the specimen in the precursor solution, the ratio of boric acid and urea in the precursor, the concentration of solution where the precursor was dissolved, and the cycle of dipping and dry process. The CMCs was fabricated through polymer impregnation and pyrolysis (PIP) processes and a three-point flexural strength test was conducted to verify the role of the coated h-BN interphase.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2012.08a
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• pp.391-392
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• 2012

Graphene is a perfectly two-dimensional (2D) atomic crystal which consists of sp2 bonded carbon atoms like a honeycomb lattice. With its unique structure, graphene provides outstanding electrical, mechanical, and optical properties, thus enabling wide variety of applications including a strong potential to extend the technology beyond the conventional Si based electronic materials. Currently, the widespread application for electrostatically switchable devices is limited by its characteristic of zero-energy gap and complex process in its synthesis. Several groups have investigated nanoribbon, strained, or nanomeshed graphenes to induce a band gap. Among various techniques to synthesize graphene, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is suited to make relatively large scale growth of graphene layers. Direct growth of graphene on hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) using CVD has gained much attention as the atomically smooth surface, relatively small lattice mismatch (~1.7％) of h-BN provides good quality graphene with high mobility. In addition, induced band gap of graphene on h-BN has been demonstrated to a meaningful value about ~0.5 eV.[1] In this paper, we report the synthesis of grpahene / h-BN bilayer in a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process by controlling the gas flux ratio and deposition rate with temperature. The h-BN (99.99％) substrate, pure Ar as carrier gas, and $CH_4$ are used to grow graphene. The number of graphene layer grown on the h-BN tends to be proportional to growth time and $CH_4$ gas flow rate. Epitaxially grown graphene on h-BN are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy.