Forget graphene, borophene is the magic material of the future

The scientific world has a new baby, but first must prove that it has been done.

Not long ago, graphene was honored by the worldwide scientific community as the marvelous material of the future. It is an extremely strong carbon sheet, thickness by atomic diameter, that can be 'transformed' into different shapes. Thanks to its electrical conductivity, material scientists believe that the era of computer microprocessors made from graphene is near. The EU alliance spent 1 billion euros to stimulate the development of the graphene industry.

But the dream has not come true, graphene has not yet appeared everywhere, but it has also paved the way for material science to find new things. One of the brightest candidates is borophene : a thin layer of boron atoms can be classified into many different crystal structures.

A block of bo.

The ability of borophene to be applied to many industries and its many uses is what makes it special. Electrochemists claim that borophene can be used in the production of anode for new generation lithium-ion batteries; Borophene's catalytic ability makes the scientific community extremely excited. Physicists are testing its ability to detect many types of atoms and molecules.

Just last month, scientist Zhi-Quiang Wang and some Xiamen University collaborators sat down, analyzing the properties of borophene and possible applications.

Borophene's development history is also very short. Since the 1990s, physicists have for the first time predicted their existence, through a program that simulates how the atoms coalesce into a thin layer of boron.

By 2015, we have synthesized borophene, by depriving hot gas gas to concentrate boron molecules into a cold surface made of pure steel.

The arrangement of iron atoms has squeezed boron atoms into a similar pattern, leaving six boron atoms together to form a hexagon. However, a large part of boron atoms combine only with 4 or 5 other atoms, creating a gap in the hexagonal structure. It is this gap that makes the borophene crystal special.

Borophene is more solid and flexible than graphene.

Because borophene is an artificial product, scientists find ways to give it its own characteristics. After the experiment, borophene turned out to be even more solid and flexible than graphene. It transmits both electricity and heat very well, and also has superconducting properties. These factors are based on gaps in the borophene structure, changing gaps to change properties, so new scientists eagerly find their way to practical use of borophene.

The properties of borophene are not only that. They are light and respond well to a variety of substances, making borophene a candidate for storing ion in batteries. ' Promise of borophene will be used to make anodes for Lithium, Sodium and Magnesium ion batteries, based on its predictable properties, such as conducting and transporting ions, ' said Wang and colleagues. .

Hydrogen atoms also attach very easily to the structure of borophene, making the potential magic material become an effective hydrogen storage tool. Hypothetical studies suggest that borophene can contain as much hydrogen as 15% of its own mass, which is superior to any other material.

Borophene can become an effective hydrogen storage tool.

Borophene also has the ability to catalyze and separate hydrogen atoms into hydrogen ions, separating water into ions of hydrogen and oxygen. In theory, borophene could lead a new era where we can use water to make energy more efficient than ever.

Sometimes, there are too great things to be true. Chemists need more testing before borophene can pioneer in any industry. Going from the simplest, we are not sure how to produce bulk borophene for testing and application. The reactivity of borophene will make it susceptible to oxidation, so it will need to be overcome.

Both of these factors make borophene both expensive and difficult to experiment with. There are a lot of things ahead of me, but that doesn't detract from the researchers. We have had the first studies to show the magic of borophene, most likely this is the promised material.

Besides graphene, borophene is Azor Ahai of the world of physical science.