Emerging boron nitride nanosheets: A review on synthesis, corrosion resistance coatings, and their impacts on the environment and health

The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) coatings to enhance the corrosion resistance of metals as well as evaluate their crucial toxicological impacts on both the environment and human health. Organic coatings are extensively applied in the field of protecting metals against corrosion. They are preferred as corrosion inhibitors due to their carbonyl and hydroxyl group content, but they have drawbacks regarding brittleness, porosity, and oxidation susceptibility. In this review, we mainly focused on the synthesis, properties, and applications of hBN coatings and emphasized the way to improve corrosion resistance in metals and alloys. Furthermore, our discussion demonstrated that the boron nitride nanosheet (BNNS) coatings significantly improve corrosion resistance, hydrophobicity, and crack mitigation properties. The researchers achieved reduced coating porosity and enhanced protection against corrosive media by effectively dispersing BNNS in organic resin. This study also determines the protective mechanism of BNNS composite coatings against corrosion. Moreover, we addressed the impact of BBNS synthesis and its physicochemical properties on the environment and organisms. Finally, suggestions are made for future research and the sustainability of industrial use to broaden the scope of applications for BNNS composite coating.