Energetics, barriers and vibrational spectra of partially and fully hydrogenated hexagonal boron nitride

Abstract

We study hydrogen chemisorption at full coverage and low concentrations on hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN). Chemisorption trends reveal the complex nature of hydrogenation. Barriers for diffusion are found to be significantly altered by the presence of additional H atoms. Moreover, the presence of a Stone–Wales defect may dramatically enhance the bond strength of H to the h-BN surface. These findings provide new insights to understand and characterize hydrogenated boron nitride.