The world of 2D material science is exciting, with new advances opening up new possibilities, most notably through graphene adaptations. Scientists have introduced a new player to the game in the form of borophane, an ultra-thin, ultra-strong material that they hope will one day be used in advanced electronics.
Borophene has several disadvantages despite its high strength and flexibility. It is difficult to produce and has a negative reaction to open air. The material oxidizes quickly, becoming highly unstable and easily changing shape. The scientists behind borophane have devised a method to overcome these obstacles.
The novel material was created by growing borophene on a silver substrate and then exposing it to hydrogen, which results in complex, two-atom-thick boron and hydrogen atom arrangements.
The scientists list several applications for borophane, including solar cells, batteries, and electronic devices. Its properties could be especially useful in electronics that rely on light for superior performance, a field known as optoelectronics, which includes everything from more efficient computer chips to advanced LED displays.
What is particularly encouraging about their findings is that, unlike borophene, a borophane nanosheet on a silver substrate was found to be quite stable. It means it should be simple to combine with other materials in developing new optoelectronic devices, which combine light and electronics.
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