While hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) fine powders and fine grain solids have been commercial products for over six decades, recently, there has been a heightened interest in crystalline hBN for special high-tech applications in quantum temperature, pressure, and magnetic sensing.In a significant breakthrough, researchers at Kansas State University have developed crystalline hexagonal boron nitride highly enriched (>98%) with the nitrogen-15 isotope (hB15N). In contrast, commercial hBN contains only 0.4% nitrogen-15 isotope. K-State’s isotope enriched crystalline hB15N has a higher thermal conductivity and lower nuclear spin density than hBN with the natural distribution of isotopes.

The synthesis of 15N enriched hBN in any form, including powders, is very rare. The process developed by K-State researchers produces high quality, large area crystalline hB15N that can enable better and new types of hBN-based electronic, optoelectronic, nanophotonic, and quantum devices.