Investigation of hexagonal boron nitride monolayer with pores as an anode material for sodium-ion batteries

The hexagonal boron nitride monolayer (h-BNML) used as an anode material for metal-ion batteries was assumed pristine form. However, inspired by the imperfections in natural materials, this study investigates the effect of defects on the electrochemical properties of h-BNML. Within the current piece of research, h-BNML with pores is introduced to develop an anode material for sodium ion battery (SIBs) by undertaking density-functional theory (DFT) computations. During the diffusion and storage process of Na ions, the pores effect was thoroughly investigated. The boron atoms were removed from the structure of the pure h-BNML in order to form the h-BNML with pores, which mimicked the pore formation. Based on the DFT results, after the pore formation, the h-BNML retained its planarity. Following the introduction of vacancies, significant alterations occurred in the electronic structure characteristics of h-BNML within the pores, facilitating the effective adsorption of Na ions within the pore. The results of quantum theory of atoms in molecules indicated that there were interactions between the pores and Na ions through an electrostatic-type attraction. The h-BNML with pores was capable of retaining a large number of Na ions at its surface without any change in its planar structure. This led to an increase in its theoretical specific capacity, which increased with porosity. Hence, unlike the pure h-BNML, the pore formation improved the diffusion of Na ions. This can be promising to designing highly efficient anodes for SIBs. The methodological approach in this study can be used for tailoring porous BN materials for SIBs.