Convert graphene sheets to boron nitride and boron nitride–carbon sheets via a carbon-substitution reaction

Here we discuss our synthesis of highly crystalline pure boron nitride (BN) and BN–carbon (BN–C) sheets by using graphene sheets as templates via a carbon-substitution reaction. Typically, these sheets are several micrometers wide and have a few layers. The composition ratios of BN–C sheets can be controlled by the post-treatment (remove carbon by oxidation) temperature. We also observed pure BN and BN–C nanoribbons. We characterized the BN–C sheets via Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. The results reveal that BN–C sheets with an armchair C–BN chain, and embedded C2 or C6 units in BN-dominated regions energetically are the most favorable.