Synthesis, properties and novel electrocatalytic applications of the 2D-borophene Xenes

Abstract

The innovation of the graphene (G) marks key revolutionary events in the science and technology. The normal materials conversion to the two dimensional materials (2DMs), is known as modern day “alchemy” was extended to the most of groups in periodic table. The monoelemental, atomically thin 2DMs, called “Xenes” (“ene” Latin word, means nanosheets (NSs), here, X = different possible group elements (group-IIIA-IVA)) are newly invented edge of the materials family in which one of the most active area is 2DMs investigation. The 2D-Xenes material offers novel properties for the modern nanodevices applications. Any new form of the 2DMs entry into mainstream Xenes would likely compete with today's electronic technology. The metallic 2D-borophene is experimentally formed; subsequent by the theoretical calculations has high in-plane anisotropy together with numerous enviable features like, the 2D-G and phosphorene (2D-BP). As a synthetic 2DMs, the structural properties of 2D-borophene cannot be deduced from bulk boron (B), means that the fundamental defects of the 2D-borophene persisted unknown. The modern highly sensitive potential synthesis and characterization techniques offer an opportunity for investigating the theoretically predicted 2D-Xenes, with atomic precision under idealized conditions. Experimental based theoretically predicted, synthetic 2D-Xenes of the group-IIIA (Borophene (2D-B)) material has been investigated, just like a metallic material. Thus, it is potentially rendering them as potential candidates for the future electrocatalytic based nanodevices, especially potential applications as a catalyst, electrode material, energy storage materials in batteries/superconductors, and so on. In this topical review, we will briefly present various aspects of the 2D-borophene, group-IIIA 2D-Xenes. Thereafter, we will explain different potential methods to synthesize 2D-borophene Xenes, provide a concise summary of the main achievements about their properties, that have been obtained by theoretical simulations as well as by experimental investigations and finally we will discuss the potential applications of the 2D-borophene Xenes, for fundamentally oriented studies. Although, this material investigations and devices applications are still at an early stage, but theoretical calculations and some experimental measurements, provided that, it is complementary to normally used electrocatalytic nanomaterials as well as 2DMs (i.e., layered bulk-derived), with their novel properties and predicted applications.