Fabrication of BN membranes containing high density of cylindrical pores using an elegant approachElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Measurement of specific surface area of the BN membrane: adsorption/desorption isotherm at 77 K using N2 and the corresponding BET plot of the BN membrane; calculation of the specific surface area of PC and dense BN membranes. See DOI: 10.1039/c7ra03808a

A high quality BN membrane with millions of through cylindrical pores is simply fabricated using a double inversion approach combining atomic layer deposition and polymer-derived ceramic route. Well crystallized hexagonal boron nitride walls are obtained at relatively low temperature (1000 °C). This new membrane is a promising candidate for osmotic energy conversion and water filtration applications. BN membrane with high density of through cylindrical pores is fabricated by combination of ALD and PDC routes. With good quality h-BN walls obtained at 1000 °C, the obtained membrane is a promising candidate for osmotic energy conversion and water filtration applications.