U.S. patent application number 17/729121 was filed with the patent office on 2022-08-11 for hexagonal boron nitride structures.
The applicant listed for this patent is TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED. Invention is credited to Luigi COLOMBO, Benjamin Stassen COOK, Nazila DADVAND, Archana VENUGOPAL.
Application Number | 20220250909 17/729121 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006290938 |
Filed Date | 2022-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220250909 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
COLOMBO; Luigi ; et
al. |
August 11, 2022 |
HEXAGONAL BORON NITRIDE STRUCTURES
Abstract
A microstructure comprises a plurality of interconnected units
wherein the units are formed of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN)
tubes. The graphene tubes may be formed by photo-initiating the
polymerization of a monomer in a pattern of interconnected units to
form a polymer microlattice, removing unpolymerized monomer,
coating the polymer microlattice with a metal, removing the polymer
microlattice to leave a metal microlattice, depositing an h-BN
precursor on the metal microlattice, converting the h-BN precursor
to h-BN, and removing the metal microlattice.
Inventors: |
COLOMBO; Luigi; (Dallas,
TX) ; DADVAND; Nazila; (Richardson, TX) ;
COOK; Benjamin Stassen; (Addison, TX) ; VENUGOPAL;
Archana; (Dallas, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED |
Dallas |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006290938 |
Appl. No.: |
17/729121 |
Filed: |
April 26, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16230070 |
Dec 21, 2018 |
11370662 |
|
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17729121 |
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62611499 |
Dec 28, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C23C 18/38 20130101;
C23C 18/32 20130101; C23C 18/2086 20130101; C01P 2004/30 20130101;
C23C 18/1689 20130101; C23C 18/285 20130101; G03F 1/20 20130101;
C01P 2004/22 20130101; C23C 18/36 20130101; C23C 16/342 20130101;
C23C 18/1657 20130101; C23C 18/42 20130101; G03F 1/60 20130101;
C23C 18/1641 20130101; C01B 21/0648 20130101; C23C 18/30
20130101 |
International
Class: |
C01B 21/064 20060101
C01B021/064; C23C 16/34 20060101 C23C016/34; C23C 18/32 20060101
C23C018/32; C23C 18/16 20060101 C23C018/16; C23C 18/36 20060101
C23C018/36; C23C 18/28 20060101 C23C018/28; C23C 18/30 20060101
C23C018/30; C23C 18/20 20060101 C23C018/20 |
Claims
1. A process for preparing a 2D h-BN microstructure comprising the
steps of: photo-initiating the polymerization of a monomer in a
pattern of interconnected units to form a polymer microlattice;
removing unpolymerized monomer; coating the polymer microlattice
with a metal; removing the polymer microlattice to leave a metal
microlattice; depositing a 2D h-BN precursor on the metal
microlattice; converting the 2D h-BN precursor to 2D h-BN; and
removing the metal microlattice.
2. The process of claim 1, wherein photo-initiating the
polymerization of the monomer includes passing collimated light
through a photomask.
3. The process of claim 1, wherein photo-initiating the
polymerization of the monomer includes multi-photon
lithography.
4. The process of claim 1, wherein coating the polymer microlattice
with a metal includes the electroless deposition of nickel.
5. The process of claim 1, wherein the polymer microlattice
includes polystyrene.
6. The process of claim 1, wherein the polymer microlattice
includes poly(methyl methacrylate).
7. The process of claim 4, further comprising: removing unwanted
particles by cleaning the microlattice with a series of chemicals
prior to electroless plating.
8. The process of claim 7, wherein the microlattice is rinsed with
water following the cleaning with each respective chemical of the
series of chemicals.
9. A 2D h-BN microstructure prepared by the process comprising the
steps of: photo-initiating the polymerization of a monomer in a
pattern of interconnected units to form a polymer microlattice;
removing unpolymerized monomer; coating the polymer microlattice
with a metal; removing the polymer microlattice to leave a metal
microlattice; depositing a 2D h-BN precursor on the metal
microlattice; converting the 2D h-BN precursor to 2D h-BN; and
removing the metal microlattice.
10. The 2D h-BN microstructure of claim 9, wherein photo-initiating
the polymerization of the monomer includes passing collimated light
through a photomask.
11. The 2D h-BN microstructure of claim 9, wherein photo-initiating
the polymerization of the monomer includes multi-photon
lithography.
12. The 2D h-BN microstructure of claim 9, wherein coating the
polymer microlattice with a metal includes the electroless
deposition of nickel.
13. The 2D h-BN microstructure of claim 9, wherein the polymer
microlattice includes polystyrene.
14. The 2D h-BN microstructure of claim 9, wherein the polymer
microlattice comprises poly(methyl methacrylate).
15. The 2D h-BN microstructure of claim 12, wherein the process
further includes removing unwanted particles by cleaning the
microlattice with a series of chemicals prior to electroless
plating.
16. The 2D h-BN microstructure of claim 15, wherein the process
further includes rinsing the microlattice with water following
cleaning with each respective chemical of the series of chemicals.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a division of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 16/230,070, filed on Dec. 21, 2018, which application
claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
62/611,499 filed on Dec. 28, 2017, and to the application Ser. No.
16/229,668 filed on Dec. 21, 2018 which claims priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/611,347 filed on Dec. 28,
2017, and to the application Ser. No. 16/229,822 filed Dec. 21,
2018 entitled "Multi-layered sp.sup.2-Bonded Carbon Tubes" which
claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
62/611,483 filed on Dec. 28, 2017, and to the application Ser. No.
16/230,070 entitled "Hexagonal Boron Nitride Structures" which
claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
62/611,499 filed on Dec. 28, 2017, and to the application Ser. No.
16/229,971 entitled "Filler Particles For Polymers" which claims
priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/611,511
filed on Dec. 28, 2017, and to the application Ser. No. 16/230,045
entitled "Gas Sensor With Superlattice Structure" which claims
priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/611,554
filed on Dec. 29, 2017, the contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entireties.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Boron nitride is a heat- and chemically resistant refractory
compound of boron and nitrogen with the chemical formula BN. It
exists in various crystalline forms that are isoelectronic to a
similarly structured carbon lattice. The hexagonal form
corresponding to graphite is the most stable and soft among BN
polymorphs, and is therefore used as a lubricant and an additive to
cosmetic products. The cubic (sphalerite structure) variety
(analogous to diamond) is called c-BN; it is softer than diamond,
but its thermal and chemical stability is superior.
[0003] Because of excellent thermal and chemical stability, boron
nitride ceramics are traditionally used as parts of
high-temperature equipment. Boron nitride has potential use in
nanotechnology. Nanotubes of BN can be produced that have a
structure like that of carbon nanotubes, i.e. graphene (or BN)
sheets rolled on themselves, but the properties are very
different.
[0004] The most stable crystalline form of boron nitride is the
hexagonal one, also called h-BN, .alpha.-BN, g-BN, and graphitic
boron nitride. Hexagonal boron nitride (point group=D6h; space
group=P63/mmc) has a layered structure like graphite. Within each
layer, boron and nitrogen atoms are bound by strong covalent bonds,
whereas the layers are held together by weak van der Waals forces.
The interlayer "registry" of these sheets differs, however, from
the pattern seen for graphite, because the atoms are eclipsed, with
boron atoms lying over and above nitrogen atoms. This registry
reflects the polarity of the B--N bonds. Still, h-BN and graphite
are very close neighbors and even the BC6N hybrids have been
synthesized where carbon substitutes for some B and N atoms.
[0005] Hexagonal and cubic (and probably w-BN) BN show remarkable
chemical and thermal stabilities. For example, h-BN is stable to
decomposition at temperatures up to 1000.degree. C. in air,
1400.degree. C. in vacuum, and 2800.degree. C. in an inert
atmosphere.
[0006] Hexagonal BN (h-BN) is the most widely used polymorph. It is
a good lubricant at both low and high temperatures (up to
900.degree. C., even in an oxidizing atmosphere). h-BN lubricant is
particularly useful when the electrical conductivity or chemical
reactivity of graphite (alternative lubricant) would be
problematic. Another advantage of h-BN over graphite is that its
lubricity does not require water or gas molecules trapped between
the layers. Therefore, h-BN lubricants can be used even in vacuum,
e.g. in space applications. The lubricating properties of
fine-grained h-BN are used in cosmetics, paints, dental cements,
and pencil leads.
[0007] Because of its excellent thermal and chemical stability,
boron nitride ceramics are traditionally used as parts of
high-temperature equipment. h-BN can be included in ceramics,
alloys, resins, plastics, rubbers, and other materials, giving them
self-lubricating properties. Such materials are suitable for
construction of e.g. bearings and in steelmaking. Plastics filled
with BN have less thermal expansion as well as higher thermal
conductivity and electrical resistivity. Due to its excellent
dielectric and thermal properties, BN is used in electronics e.g.
as a substrate for semiconductors, microwave-transparent windows
and as a structural material for seals. It can also be used as
dielectric in resistive random-access memories.
[0008] Hexagonal BN is used in xerographic process and laser
printers as a charge leakage barrier layer of the photo drum. In
the automotive industry, h-BN mixed with a binder (boron oxide) is
used for sealing oxygen sensors, which provide feedback for
adjusting fuel flow. The binder utilizes the unique temperature
stability and insulating properties of h-BN.
[0009] Boron nitride nanosheets (h-BN) can be deposited by
catalytic decomposition of borazine at a temperature
.about.1100.degree. C. in a chemical vapor deposition setup, over
areas up to about 10 cm.sup.2. Owing to their hexagonal atomic
structure, small lattice mismatch with graphene (.about.2%), and
high uniformity they are used as substrates for graphene-based
devices. BN nanosheets are also excellent proton conductors. Their
high proton transport rate, combined with the high electrical
resistance, may lead to applications in fuel cells and water
electrolysis.
[0010] Boron nitride nanosheets are a two-dimensional crystalline
form of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), which has a thickness of
one to few atomic layers. It is similar in geometry to its
all-carbon analog graphene, but has very different chemical and
electronic properties--contrary to the black and highly conducting
graphene, BN nanosheets are electrical insulators with a band gap
of .about.5.9 eV, and therefore appear white in color.
[0011] BN nanosheets consist of sp.sup.2-conjugated boron and
nitrogen atoms that form a honeycomb structure. They contain two
different edges: armchair and zig-zag. The armchair edge consists
of either boron or nitrogen atoms, while the zig-zag edge consists
of alternating boron or nitrogen atoms. These 2D structures can
stack on top of each other and are held by Van der Waals forces to
form few-layer boron nitride nanosheets. In these structures, the
boron atoms of one sheet are positioned on top or below the
nitrogen atoms due to electron-deficient nature of boron and
electron-rich nature of nitrogen.
[0012] Chemical vapor deposition is the most common method to
produce BN nanosheets because it is a well-established and highly
controllable process that yields high-quality material over areas
exceeding 10 cm.sup.2. There is a wide range of boron and nitride
precursors for CVD synthesis, such as borazine, and their selection
depends on toxicity, stability, reactivity, and the nature of the
CVD method.
[0013] Heating a mixture of boron and nitrogen precursors, such as
boric acid and urea, can produce boron nitride nanosheets. The
number of layers in these nanosheets was controlled by temperature
(ca. 900.degree. C.) and the urea content.
[0014] BN nanosheets are electrical insulators and exhibit a high
thermal conductivity of 100-270 W/(mK). They have a wide band gap
of .about.5.9 eV, which can be changed by the presence of
Stone-Wales defects within the structure, by doping or
functionalization, or by changing the number of layers. Owing to
their hexagonal atomic structure, small lattice mismatch with
graphene (.about.2%), and high uniformity, BN nanosheets are used
as substrates for graphene-based devices. BN nanosheets are also
excellent proton conductors. Their high proton transport rate,
combined with the high electrical resistance, may lead to
applications in many fields.
[0015] The theoretical thermal conductivity of hexagonal boron
nitride nanoribbons (BNNRs) can approach 1700-2000 W/(mK), which
has the same order of magnitude as the experimental measured value
for graphene, and can be comparable to the theoretical calculations
for graphene nanoribbons. Moreover, the thermal transport in the
BNNRs is anisotropic. The thermal conductivity of zigzag-edged
BNNRs is about 20% larger than that of armchair-edged nanoribbons
at room temperature.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0016] In one example, a microstructure comprises a plurality of
interconnected units wherein the units are formed of interconnected
h-BN tubes. The microstructure may comprise a plurality of
interconnected units including at least a first unit formed of
first two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride (2D h-BN) tubes; and
a second unit formed of second two-dimensional hexagonal boron
nitride (2D h-BN) tubes, wherein one or more of the second
two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride (2D h-BN) tubes are
connected to one or more of the first two-dimensional hexagonal
boron nitride (2D h-BN) tubes.
[0017] A method of forming an h-BN microstructure is disclosed
herein which comprises: photo-initiating the polymerization of a
monomer in a pattern of interconnected units to form a polymer
microlattice; removing unpolymerized monomer; coating the polymer
microlattice with a metal; removing the polymer microlattice to
leave a metal microlattice; depositing an h-BN precursor on the
metal microlattice; converting the h-BN precursor to h-BN; and
removing the metal microlattice.
[0018] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0019] FIG. 1A is a schematic drawing of a fabrication process for
a metal-based microlattice template in accordance with an
example.
[0020] FIG. 1B is a flowchart for the fabrication process depicted
schematically in FIG. 1A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Hexagonal boron nitride may be essentially "flat" or 2D.
Forming h-BN in one regular repeating structure has not been
reported in the prior art. Superstructures of these may provide
very strong, light, highly thermally conductive structures.
Attempts have been made to fabricate h-BN sponges, however these
structures are irregular and exhibit properties that vary with
position.
[0022] Growth of regular 3D superstructures using h-BN could
address the shortcomings of the flexible h-BN for 3D applications
given that h-BN is strong, chemically inert, and an electrical
insulator. These new superstructures may then be used for many
applications from packaging, thin optically transparent strong thin
films, and many more.
[0023] It has been found that an organic/inorganic superstructure
may be used as a template for the formation of a 3D metal
superstructure that may then be used to grow h-BN on the surface of
the metal. The template may be fabricated through a
self-propagating photopolymer waveguide technique (see, e.g.,
Xiaoyu Zheng et. al., Ultralight, Ultrastiff Mechanical
Metamaterials; Science 344 (2014) 1373-1377 and T. A. Schaedler, et
al., Ultralight Metallic Microlattices; Science 334 (2011)
962-965). As illustrated schematically in FIG. 1A, an
interconnected 3D photopolymer lattice may be produced upon
exposure of an appropriate liquid photomonomer 16 to collimated UV
light 12 through a specifically designed (e.g using a
computer-aided design model 10) digital mast 14 that contains
openings with certain spacing and size. The fabricated organic
polymer template microlattice 18 may then be then coated by
electroless nickel or other suitable metal (e.g. Cu, Co, Au, Ag,
Pt, Ir, Ru and alloys thereof) followed by etching away the organic
polymeric matrix (scaffold). The resulting metal-based microlattice
may be then used as a template to grow the h-BN. The thickness of
the electroless plated metal may be controlled in the range of
nanometer to micrometer by adjusting the plating time, temperature,
and/or plating chemistry.
[0024] FIG. 1A schematically illustrates an exemplary fabrication
process of organic polymeric microlattices (scaffolds) 18 prior to
coating with electroless plating.
[0025] The present disclosure is of a "periodically structured"
h-BN nanostructure. The h-BN nanostructures of the prior art are
irregular and have much larger dimensions than those which may be
achieved using the methodology disclosed herein.
[0026] The present process may be used to create a regular array,
and the superstructure dimensions (unit) and structure may be
optimized for strength, thermal and other fundamental
properties.
[0027] There are several aspects of this procedure that are
noteworthy: [0028] it provides a regular structure with defined
dimensions; [0029] it can form very thin metal (e.g. Ni, Co, Cu,
Ag, Au) microlattices; [0030] it enables the formation of h-BN on
very thin metals by a surface-limited process for very thin h-BN
wires or tubes.
[0031] The present process uses a polymeric structure as a template
for such fabrication with the subsequent formation of a metal
superstructure that may then be exposed to borazine
(BH).sub.3(NH).sub.3 to form h-BN, followed by etching of the metal
from under the h-BN using appropriate etchants such as, for
example, FeCl.sub.3 or potassium permanganate.
[0032] Collimated UV light 12 through a photomask 14 or
multi-photon lithography may be used in a photo-initiated
polymerization to produce a polymer microlattice 18 comprised of a
plurality of interconnected units. Exemplary polymers include
polystyrene and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Once polymerized
in the desired pattern, the remaining un-polymerized monomer may be
removed.
[0033] The polymer structure (polymer scaffold) may then be plated
with a suitable metal using an electroless plating process.
[0034] Electroless nickel plating (EN) is an auto-catalytic
chemical technique that may be used to deposit a layer of
nickel-phosphorus or nickel-boron alloy on a solid workpiece, such
as metal, plastic, or ceramic. The process relies on the presence
of a reducing agent, for example hydrated sodium hypophosphite
(NaPO.sub.2H.sub.2H.sub.2O) which reacts with the metal ions to
deposit metal. Alloys with different percentages of phosphorus,
ranging from 2-5 (low phosphorus) to up to 11-14 (high phosphorus)
are possible. The metallurgical properties of the alloys depend on
the percentage of phosphorus.
[0035] Electroless plating has several advantages over
electroplating. Free from flux-density and power supply issues, it
provides an even deposit regardless of workpiece geometry, and with
the proper pre-plate catalyst, may deposit on non-conductive
surfaces. In contradistinction, electroplating can only be
performed on electrically conductive substrates.
[0036] Before performing electroless plating, the material to be
plated must be cleaned by a series of chemicals; this is known as
the pre-treatment process. Failure to remove unwanted "soils" from
the part's surface results in poor plating. Each pre-treatment
chemical must be followed by water rinsing (normally two to three
times) to remove chemicals that may adhere to the surface.
De-greasing removes oils from surfaces, whereas acid cleaning
removes scaling.
[0037] Activation may be done with an immersion into a
sensitizer/activator solution--for example, a mixture of palladium
chloride, tin chloride, and hydrochloric acid. In the case of
non-metallic substrates, a proprietary solution is often used.
[0038] The pre-treatment required for the deposition of metals on a
non-conductive surface usually consists of an initial surface
preparation to render the substrate hydrophilic. Following this
initial step, the surface may be activated by a solution of a noble
metal, e.g., palladium chloride. Electroless bath formation varies
with the activator. The substrate is then ready for electroless
deposition.
[0039] The reaction is accomplished when hydrogen is released by a
reducing agent, normally sodium hypophosphite (with the hydrogen
leaving as a hydride ion) or thiourea, and oxidized, thus producing
a negative charge on the surface of the part. The most common
electroless plating method is electroless nickel plating, although
silver, gold and copper layers can also be applied in this
manner.
[0040] In principle any hydrogen-based reducing agent can be used
although the redox potential of the reducing half-cell must be high
enough to overcome the energy barriers inherent in liquid
chemistry. Electroless nickel plating most often employs
hypophosphite as the reducer while plating of other metals like
silver, gold and copper typically makes use of low-molecular-weight
aldehydes.
[0041] A benefit of this approach is that the technique can be used
to plate diverse shapes and types of surfaces.
[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the organic polymeric
microlattice may be electrolessly plated 20 with metal followed by
dissolving out 22 the organic polymer scaffold. The resulting
metal-based microlattice may be used in several applications
24--e.g. it may then be coated with a thin layer of immersion tin
to prevent the metal from oxidizing during the subsequent process
which may include a heat treatment. The fabricated metal-based
microlattice may be used as a template to synthesize an h-BN
superstructure. The metal may then be etched out to produce an h-BN
microstructure comprising a plurality of interconnected units
wherein the units are formed of h-BN tubes. The tubes that form the
h-BN microstructure may be arranged in an ordered structure and
form symmetric patterns that repeat along the principal directions
of three-dimensional space.
[0043] In another example, SiO.sub.2 may be deposited around the
h-BN tubes. Such SiO.sub.2-coated h-BN tubes may have application
in the fabrication of integrated circuits having enhanced heat
dissipation characteristics.
[0044] In yet another example, the metal microlattice may be
retained. A process for forming such a metal/2D h-BN microstructure
may comprise: photo-initiating the polymerization of a monomer in a
pattern of interconnected units to form a polymer microlattice;
removing unpolymerized monomer; coating the polymer microlattice
with a metal; removing the polymer microlattice to leave a metal
microlattice; depositing 2D h-BN precursor on the metal
microlattice; and converting the 2D h-BN precursor to 2D h-BN.
[0045] Modifications are possible in the described embodiments, and
other embodiments are possible, within the scope of the claims.
* * * * *