Scalable synthesis of highly exfoliated, water-dispersible boron nitride nanosheets for nano-fibrillated cellulose membrane toughening

A very simple solid-state Diels Alder reaction of bulk boron nitride (BN) with maleic anhydride followed by ultrasonication in an aqueous solution was used to mass production of maleic acid functionalized highly exfoliated water dispersible single and few layers of boron nitride nanosheets (BNNS-MA). We demonstrate that as-synthesized BNNS-MA can be used to reinforce and toughen nano-fibrillated cellulose membranes.