Boron nitride preparation use and compair with graphite

What is boron nitride ? 

Boron nitride is a white crystalline chemicalcompound of boron and nitrogen with the chemical formula (BN)n. It is heat and chemically resistant refractory compound of boron and nitrogen. 

Boron Nitride

Preparation of boron nitride.

Boron nitride is obtained by the interaction of excess ammonia with diborane under high temperature.

What is inorganic graphite ?

A boron atom bonded together with a nitrogen atom has 8 valence electrons, 3 from boron and 5 from nitrogen. This is the same number of electrons as are presents in two adjacent carbon atoms in graphite.

The B – H bonds in boron nitride are formed by the overlapping of sp2 hybrid orbitals of boron and nitrogen atoms like C – C bond in graphite.

Therefore, the structure of boron nitride is very similar to that of graphite that is boron nitride is iso-structural and iso-electronic with graphite. For the above reason, boron nitride is also called inorganic graphite. 

Use of boron nitride 

Boron nitride is a white crystalline non-toxic and a non-conductor of electricity, and is an excellent substitute for other commonly used lubricants in metals processing such as graphite, molybdenum disulphide, and organic waxes and oils. Boron nitride nano particle is a very good electrical insulator.

Due to its excellent thermal and chemical stability, boron nitride ceramics are traditionally used as parts of high-temperature equipment.

H-type boron nitride can be included in ceramics, alloys, resins, plastics, rubbers, and other materials, giving them self-lubricating properties.

Practice problems

• What is boron nitride ? 
• Why boron nitride is also called inorganic graphite ?
• How boron nitride is prepared from diborane ? 

        

  Click here: Borazine or Borazole