Evaluation of antibacterial and catalytic potential of copper-doped chemically exfoliated boron nitride nanosheets

Boron nitride (BN) nanosheets were prepared by chemical exfoliation method and incorporation of Cu as a dopant was achieved using hydrothermal route. Hexagonal phase of BN (h-BN) was detected using x-ray difractometer (XRD). Functional group analysis with fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR) was employed to identify the chemicals used in the process, which was then further confirmed with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) coupled with FESEM. Optical analysis undertaken with UV–vis. spectroscopy indicated absorption at UV region. Raman spectroscopy was used to acquire molecular fingerprints of BN molecules. Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy was carried out to study the exciton behaviour of samples in order to elucidate the electron migration and transfer rate. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) were employed to examine the morphology and structure of materials. The experimental results indicate that Cu-doped BN nanosheets possess excellent catalytic potential and superior antibacterial activity.