Borophene: Synthesis, Chemistry, and Electronic Properties

Borophene: The Frontier of Next-Generation Sensor Applications

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have captivated scientific imagination, and among this proliferating cadre of 2D compounds, borophene; a single layer of boron atoms emerges as a nonpareil substance owing to its distinctive structural, electronic, and mechanical properties. This review investigates the extraordinary properties that borophene possesses, notably in its χ3 and β12 phases, which add directional metallic behavior, along with quite a lot of mechanical plasticity and high carrier mobility. The synthesis of borophene has made significant strides thanks to cutting-edge techniques like molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), atomic layer deposition (ALD), and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and physical vapor deposition (PVD), with recent innovations breaking through the scalability no-go areas that, in the past, hindered the material's widespread use. Borophene's superior electronic, thermal, and mechanical properties, in contrast to other 2D materials like graphene, accentuate its potential for diverse applications, particularly in the realm of next-generation sensors. It places particular emphasis on borophene's appositeness for sensor technology, detailing the structural intricacies and unique topological characteristics that make borophene an exceptional candidate. By focusing on the mechanisms that enable its high sensitivity and flexibility, the discussion brings to light the transformative potential of this interesting 2D material while concurrently addressing the state-of-the-art advancements in borophene research, thereby providing a forward-looking perspective on future opportunities and challenges. Ultimately, this work pinpoints how borophene, with its unprecedented properties and technological promise, is poised to reshape sensor technology and opens new avenues for exploration in the broader field of advanced functional materials.

Two-Dimensional Catalysts: From Model to Reality

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have been utilized broadly in kinds of catalytic reactions due to their fully exposed active sites and special electronic structure. Compared with real catalysts, which are usually bulk or particle, 2D materials have more well-defined structures. With easily identified structure-modulated engineering, 2D materials become ideal models to figure out the catalytic structure-function relations, which is helpful for the precise design of catalysts. In this review, the unique function of 2D materials was summarized from model study to reality catalysis and application. It includes several typical 2D materials, such as graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides, metal, and metal (hydr)oxide materials. We introduced the structural characteristics of 2D materials and their advantages in model researches. It emphatically summarized how 2D materials serve as models to explore the structure-activity relationship by combining theoretical calculations and surface research. The opportunities of 2D materials and the challenges for fundamentals and applications they facing are also addressed. This review provides a reference for the design of catalyst structure and composition, and could inspire the realization of two-dimensional materials from model study to reality application in industry.