Researchers at Rice University and Northwestern University have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of materials science. They have identified a new two-dimensional copper boride material, which has a unique atomic structure that differs from previously predicted borophene.
The team, led by Boris Yakobson, successfully synthesized the new compound using high-resolution imaging, spectroscopy, and theoretical modeling. The results revealed a periodic zigzag superstructure and distinct electronic signatures that deviate significantly from known borophene phases.
Unlike other systems, such as graphene on copper, where atoms diffuse into the substrate without forming a distinct alloy, the boron atoms in this new material formed a defined 2D copper boride compound. This finding has significant implications for the study of two-dimensional materials and their potential applications in electronics, energy, and catalysis.
The discovery of 2D copper boride expands our knowledge on the formation of atomically thin metal boride materials and offers important insight into how boron interacts with different metal substrates in two-dimensional environments. The team is optimistic about exploring this new family of 2D materials, which have broad potential use in applications such as electrochemical energy storage and quantum information technology.
The findings come shortly after another boron-related breakthrough by the same Rice theory team. A separate study published in ACS Nano showed that borophene can form high-quality lateral, edge-to-edge junctions with graphene and other 2D materials, offering better electrical contact than even gold. This discovery highlights both the promise and challenge of working with boron at the atomic scale.
The researchers hope that their findings will provide a logical answer to long-standing questions about borophene’s behavior on different substrates. As Yakobson said, “It all fell into place and provided a logical answer – metal boride, bingo! This was unexpected at first, but now it is settled – and science can move forward.”
Source: https://phys.org/news/2025-05-scientists-2d-copper-boride-material.html