Synthesis of metalloborophene nanoribbons on Cu(110)

TL;DR

This paper reports the experimental synthesis and characterization of metalloborophene nanoribbons on Cu(110), revealing their formation mechanisms and expanding the family of 2D materials with potential applications in electronics and catalysis.

Contribution

First experimental verification of metalloborophene nanoribbons on Cu(110) using multiple techniques and first-principles calculations.

Findings

Formation of CuB8 metalloborophene nanoribbons via spontaneous alloying.

Identification of thermodynamic and lattice mismatch factors in nanoribbon formation.

Expansion of 2D material synthesis pathways for metalloborophenes.

Abstract

Metalloborophene, characterized by the presence of metal-centered boron wheels denoted as M\c{opyright}Bn, has garnered considerable attention in recent years due to its versatile properties and potential applications in fields such as electronics, spintronics, and catalysis. However, the experimental verification of metalloborophene has been challenging, mainly due to the unconventional two-dimensional (2D) boron networks. In this study, we employ scanning tunneling microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, low energy electron diffraction, and first-principles calculations to unveil Cu\c{opyright}B8 metalloborophene nanoribbons formed via spontaneous alloying after the deposition of boron on a heated Cu(110) substrate under ultrahigh vacuum condition. The thermodynamically preferred precursor, the anchoring of boron network to metal atoms, and anisotropic lattice mismatch are identified as pivotal factors in the formation of these metalloborophene nanoribbons. This discovery expands the repertoire of 2D materials and offers a potential pathway for the synthesis of other metalloborophenes.