American scientists have created the first double-layer boron ene material

2024-01-26

Engineers at Northwestern University in the United States have created for the first time a double-layer atomic thickness boron ene, breaking the natural trend of boron forming non planar clusters beyond the limit of a single atomic layer. The research results are published in the journal Nature Materials.

Boronene is a single atom thick boron sheet, a two-dimensional material composed of boron atoms with a single atom layer thickness, which is stronger, lighter, and more flexible than graphene. The synthesis of single atomic layer boron ene is challenging. To obtain boron ene, it is usually necessary to prepare growth, so a substrate is needed as a carrier or support.

Five years ago, scientists from the same research team first created boron ene with only a single atomic thickness. Theoretical research predicts that it is possible to prepare double-layer boron ene, but due to the fact that bulk boron is not layered like graphite, growth beyond a single atomic layer can lead to the formation of clusters rather than planar structures. The key to attempting to grow multi-layer boron ene lies in finding growth conditions that prevent cluster formation. This study found that the key lies in the substrate used for growing boron ene. Researchers cultured boron ene on a flat silver substrate. When exposed to high temperatures, silver forms abnormally flat "terraces" between atomic level step structures. When planting boron ene on these terraced fields, researchers observed the formation of a second layer of boron ene. This double-layer material not only maintains the electronic properties of boron ene, but also has new advantages, such as being composed of two layers of atomic thick thin sheets bonded together, with space in the middle, which can be used to store energy or chemical substances.

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