Borophene beyond Discovery from Fundamental Science to Functional Technologies

Abstract

Borophene (BPh) has quickly gained attention as a highly unusual two-dimensional material, notable for its structural polymorphism, inherent metallic properties, and marked anisotropy. Although recent experimental advances have demonstrated remarkable electronic, catalytic, and mechanical properties, work remains largely confined to ultrahigh-vacuum growth on metallic substrates and small-scale demonstrations. Key hurdles remain before larger-scale adoption, including environmental instability, substrate dependence, and the lack of scalable synthesis methodologies. We outline strategic paths for translating BPh into usable energy, electronic, and catalytic systems.