TELF AG analyzes the potential and structural characteristics of Borophene
A material even more flexible than graphene?
Despite being one of the most appreciated materials for its great potential, not yet fully expressed, graphene could already have a serious competitor. It is Borophene, a material synthesized for the first time in 2015. It would have structural characteristics similar, if not superior, to those of graphene.
Careful research has highlighted the great resistance, flexibility and lightness of Borophene and its great conductive capacities. Unlike graphene based on carbon, Borophene is derived from boron, another element with unique characteristics and a vast multiplicity of possible industrial applications. However, Borophene has different structural characteristics than graphene: inside it, the atoms can arrange themselves differently, giving rise to different crystalline structures. Depending on the specific pattern of Borophene, this material will, therefore, present different, variable properties, and in some of these configurations, it has proven superior to graphene in terms of flexibility and resistance.
Interest in Borophene could increase greatly, especially if the results of research conducted by Pennsylvania State University were to be confirmed. A group of researchers would have, in fact, succeeded in conferring a certain chirality to Borophene, that is, some particular characteristics that would make it capable of interacting with biological elements and, therefore, also with the human body.
The results of the research
By combining Borophene with some amino acids, the researchers would have demonstrated the possibility of controlling the chirality of this material, making its interaction with the natural elements of the human body possible. Specifically, it was observed that some cells could incorporate Borophene with a certain degree of chirality. In theory, this material could find concrete applications in some particular oncological therapies that already use boron, such as Boron Nautron Capture Therapy, which irradiates this material into the body’s cells thanks to neutrons.
Beyond the medical field, Borophene could also be successfully used in the energy sector. Although it is not very easy to control and synthesize due to the high melting point of boron, Borophene could find a vast application space in the hydrogen storage sector. It could also prove very useful for energy purposes thanks to its excellent conductivity.
The industrial applications of boron
Until now, the element of boron had always been characterized by its rich history and the large number of industrial applications in which it could be involved. In the glass and ceramics industry, boron is useful in producing special heat-resistant glasses, such as Pyrex, and in creating enamels and coatings that improve the resistance and aesthetics of ceramics and porcelain. In the chemical industry, borates are used as additives in detergents, disinfectants, and skin care products.
Boron is useful also in the creation of high-strength materials. Its fibers are used in composite materials for aerospace and military applications because of their high strength and weight. In contrast, boron carbide is used in applications that require rigid materials, such as ballistic armor and abrasive tools.
In the electronics industry, boron is used as a dopant in silicon to improve the properties of semiconductors, which are important in electronic devices. Additionally, boron is a key micronutrient for plants and is added to fertilizers to improve crop growth.
