Penn State researchers have discovered a new two-dimensional material known as borophene, which has shown to have enhanced properties compared to graphene. Borophene is thinner, more conductive, lighter, stronger and more flexible than graphene. In a recent study published in ACS Nano, the team led by Dipanjan Pan added chirality to borophene, a quality that was previously not explored in this material. This new development could lead to advancements in sensors and implantable medical devices as chirality allows borophene to interact uniquely with biological units like cells and protein precursors.
Boron is an element that is similar to carbon in terms of atomic weight and electron structure but with even more exceptional properties. The addition of chirality creates two versions of biological or chemical units that cannot perfectly match each other, creating unique interactions with biological units like cells and protein precursors. Researchers are just beginning to explore the potential applications of borophene, and this novel research has the potential to revolutionize the field of nanotechnology and pave the way for innovative technologies in the future.
The team’s findings highlight the importance of studying materials at the nanoscale level and how their unique properties can be harnessed for practical applications. Borophene’s enhanced properties make it an ideal material for use in sensors and medical devices due to its ability to interact with biological units like cells and protein precursors. The addition of chirality opens up new possibilities for borophene’s use in these fields, making it an exciting material for further research and development.