Li Qiucheng, Aklile Eden B, Tsui Albert, Hersam Mark C
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China.
Nat Chem. 2025 May;17(5):642-652. doi: 10.1038/s41557-025-01773-4. Epub 2025 Apr 7.
Borophene-an atomically thin, two-dimensional (2D) boron analogue of graphene-has attracted significant attention as a 2D synthetic platform. Since its initial experimental realization, borophene has proven to be a versatile 2D material due to its high polymorphism and amenability to heterostructure integration. Nevertheless, several synthetic challenges have hindered the practical utilization of borophene, primarily due to its high chemical reactivity and interlayer charge transfer with growth substrates. Here we discuss emerging synthesis strategies for borophene, ranging from on-surface synthesis using elemental and molecular boron sources to substrate segregation growth techniques and solution-based reactions. We also focus on the surface and interface engineering of borophene with the aim of tailoring chemical reactivity and electronic properties. Finally, we highlight the remaining unresolved synthetic challenges for borophene and suggest future directions for accelerating fundamental science and applied technology for boron in the 2D limit.
硼烯——一种原子级薄的、二维(2D)的石墨烯类硼同素异形体——作为一种二维合成平台已引起了广泛关注。自其首次通过实验实现以来,硼烯因其高度的多态性以及易于进行异质结构集成而被证明是一种多功能的二维材料。然而,一些合成方面的挑战阻碍了硼烯的实际应用,这主要是由于其高化学反应活性以及与生长衬底之间的层间电荷转移。在此,我们讨论硼烯新兴的合成策略,从使用元素硼源和分子硼源的表面合成到衬底偏析生长技术以及基于溶液的反应。我们还着重于硼烯的表面和界面工程,旨在调整其化学反应活性和电子性质。最后,我们强调硼烯在合成方面仍未解决的挑战,并提出在二维极限下加速硼的基础科学和应用技术发展的未来方向。