Boron Carbon Nitride (BCN): An Emerging Two-Dimensional Material for Rechargeable Batteries

Boron carbon nitride (BCN) is a prominent ultrathin two-dimensional (2D) material that has received significant attention in the recent past. BCN possesses unique properties such as good electronic conductivity, layered 2D architecture, large surface area, good chemical and electrochemical stabilities, etc. Rechargeable batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), have made a technological revolution in the field of electrochemical energy storage devices. Electrode materials with layered 2D architectures are highly preferred for application in rechargeable batteries. BCN-based electrodes are potential candidates for rechargeable battery applications and have motivated us to write this review on BCN as an emerging electrode material for applications in batteries. This review discusses the potential of BCN-based materials for rechargeable battery applications and the lack of these materials in the literature. Initially, we discuss the crystal structure of BCN. Further, the various available methods to synthesize BCN nanostructures such as hydrothermal methods, chemical vapor deposition, and pyrolysis, to name a few, are discussed. Additionally, the electrode applications of BCN-based materials for LIBs, Zn–air batteries, Li–O2 batteries, Li–sulfur batteries, etc., are reviewed in detail. The present review proclaims the development of novel hierarchical layered 2D BCN-based materials for potential applications in next-generation rechargeable batteries. In addition, it emphasizes the difficulties and potential uses of BCN energy storage systems in the future.