Functionalization of boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) by organic polymers: formation of substituted polythiophene–BNNS structures

Recent experiments with hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) have shown the successful covalent and non-covalent functionalization of these boron nitride nanostructures, especially nanosheets (BNNS). This paper explores the synthesis of several thiophene-based polymers with conjugated pendant groups and their reactions with BNNSs. Specifically, two phenyl carboxylic acid functionalized polythiophene polymers, poly[3-(4-methoxycarbonylphenyl)thiophene] and poly[3-(4-benzoic acid)thiophene], have been prepared and reacted with exfoliated BNNSs. The resulting complexes between the conjugated polythiophene polymers and the BNNS are reported and characterized by their reaggregation stability and by spectroscopic methods.