Progress in Catalytic Roles of Hexagonal Boron Nitride in Oxidative Dehydrogenation, Water Splitting, and Pollutant Degradation

The catalytic behavior of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is substantially enhanced by the active sites generated by the defects, doping, and functionalization. In this regard, the catalytic potential, photocatalytic behavior, and activities of h-BN in terms of oxidative dehydrogenation, water splitting, and pollutant degradation have been reviewed in this article. The h-BN catalyst has the potential to activate hydrocarbons. Catalytically, it interacts with oxidizing agents in their respective oxidative dehydrogenation processes and creates alkenes, propylene, propane, and butane both in research laboratories and industries. Similarly, h-BN is increasingly being explored for its catalytic role in water splitting. It is an important process for the production of hydrogen fuel through the splitting of water (H2O). In addition, h-BN has garnered attention as an effective catalyst for pollutant degradation due to its unique properties, such as high thermal stability, chemical inertness, and the ability to be functionalized and doped to create active sites. Degradation of pollutants through h-BN involves breaking down harmful substances into less toxic or nontoxic compounds, which contributes to environmental remediation efforts.