Surprising Properties Unveiled in Boron Nitride-Based Nanocomposites

Researchers at Rice University have discovered that a nanocomposite made from mixing hexagonal boron nitride (a soft variety) with cubic boron nitride (a material second to diamond in hardness) exhibits unexpected properties. The composite outperformed its parent materials in different functionalities, such as low thermal conductivity, making it suitable for heat-insulating materials in electronic devices. The optical property of the composite also showed a significant increase after heating. The study opens up possibilities for tailoring boron nitride materials with a range of mechanical, thermal, electrical, and optical properties, making them useful in next-generation microchips, quantum devices, and other advanced technology applications.