Flat Boron: A New Cousin of Graphene

• Published in: Advanced materials (Weinheim) Vol. 31; no. 36; pp. e1900392 - n/a
• Main Authors: Xie, Sheng‐Yi, Wang, Yeliang, Li, Xian‐Bin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.09.2019
• Subjects: 2D materials; Boron; Boron nitride; borophene; borophene synthesis; Chemical properties; Chemical vapor deposition; Exfoliation; Graphene; Historical structures; Materials science; Molecular beam epitaxy; Organic chemistry; Substrates; Synthesis; Transition metal compounds; Two dimensional materials; borophene synthesis; borophene; 2D materials
• ISSN: 0935-9648; 1521-4095; 1521-4095
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.201900392

The mechanical exfoliation of graphene from graphite provides the cornerstone for the synthesis of other 2D materials with layered bulk structures, such as hexagonal boron nitride, transition metal dichalcogenides, black phosphorus, and so on. However, the experimental production of 2D flat boron is challenging because bulk boron has very complex spatial structures and a rich variety of chemical properties. Therefore, the realization of 2D flat boron marks a milestone for the synthesis of 2D materials without layered bulk structures. The historical efforts in this field, particularly the most recent experimental progress, such as the growth of 2D flat boron on a metal substrate by chemical vapor deposition and molecular beam epitaxy, or liquid exfoliation from bulk boron, are described. The successful synthesis of borophene on metal substrates marks a milestone for the synthesis of 2D materials without layered bulk structures, just as graphene is the cornerstone for synthesizing 2D materials with layered bulk structures. The exotic properties and wide applications of borophene make it a new cousin of graphene in the family of 2D materials.