Recent insights into BCN nanomaterials - synthesis, properties and applications

This review provides an overview of materials within the B-C-N triangular zone. The structure, properties, synthesis routes and applications of boron carbon nitride (BCN) nanomaterials have been discussed in detail. Boron carbon nitride is a ternary compound of B-C-N, which has been anticipated to possess properties in-between those of conducting graphene and insulating BN. The properties of BCN can be easily tuned with slight variation in the arrangement and composition of B, C and N atoms. Various morphologies of BCN such as nanoparticles, nanosheets, nanotubes, nanoplates, and aerogels show unique and exceptional properties to its analogous counterparts. BCN offers potential applications in energy devices, supercapacitors, nanoelectronics, optoelectronics, electrochemical sensors, catalysis, high-temperature lubricants, novel composites, biomedical applications, etc. This review provides a summary of recent developments in BCN materials.