Atomic-resolution structural and spectroscopic evidence for the synthetic realization of two-dimensional copper boride
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Since the first realization of borophene on Ag(111), two-dimensional (2D) boron nanomaterials have attracted substantial interest because of their polymorphic diversity and potential for hosting solid-state quantum phenomena. Here, we use atomic-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and field-emission resonance (FER) spectroscopy to elucidate the structure and properties of atomically thin boron phases grown on Cu(111). Specifically, FER spectroscopy reveals charge transfer and electronic states that strongly differ from the decoupled borophene phases observed on silver, suggesting that the deposition of boron on copper results in strong covalent bonding characteristic of a 2D copper boride. This conclusion is reinforced by detailed STM characterization of line defects that are consistent with density functional theory calculations for atomically thin Cu 8 B 14 . This evidence for 2D copper boride is likely to motivate future synthetic efforts aimed at expanding the relatively unexplored family of atomically thin metal boride materials.
Source: Science Advances
Authors: Hui Li, Qiyuan Ruan, Cataldo Lamarca, Albert Tsui, Boris I. Yakobson, Mark C. Hersam
Institutions: Northwestern University, Rice University
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
Funder: U.S. Department of Energy
OpenAlex ID: W4406317054