Provided is a composition comprising hexagonal boron nitride particles having a surface and a substituted phenyl radical bonded to the surface, the substituted phenyl radical being represented by the structure: where X is a radical selected from NH2—, HO—, R2OC(O)—, R2C(O)O—, HSO3—, NH2CO—, halogens, alkyl or aryl, including substituted aryl; where R1 is hydrogen, alkyl or alkoxy, and R2 is hydrogen, alkyl or aryl, including substituted aryl. A process for preparing the composition is also provided.