Exploring borophene: pioneering trends in energy storage materials

Abstract

Borophene, a two-dimensional (2D) monolayer of boron atoms, corroborated phenomenal growth for its exceptional anisotropic properties, including high surface area, tunable bandgap, and superior electronic conductivity, positioning it as a cutting-edge material for energy storage applications. This review critically assesses borophene’s potential, emphasizing its remarkable theoretical storage capacities for Li-ion and Na-ion batteries, underpinned by ultrafast ion-diffusion pathways with minimal energy-barriers and bandgap (9.43eV in zigzag-direction) (Duo et al. Coord Chem Rev 427: 213549, 2021). Advanced density functional theory simulations elucidate borophene’s structural stability, ion-transport mechanisms, and tunable electronic properties achieved through carrier doping, defect engineering, and strain modulation. The review highlights novel synthesis strategies, such as plasma ion-implantation on unconventional substrates like carbon cloth and silicon, mitigating existing fabrication bottlenecks. Experimental validations confirm borophene’s superior electrochemical performance, demonstrating exceptional electrocatalytic activity with low overpotentials for hydrogen evolution reactions and high specific capacitance in supercapacitors. Concomitantly, various approaches encompassing carrier-doping, external-strain, and defect formation that assist in tuning the features of borophene have been discussed briefly in this study. By integrating theoretical insights with experimental advancements, this study identifies critical research-gaps and presents critical discussions and roadmap for leveraging borophene’s anisotropic features in next-generation energy storage systems, advancing the frontier of 2D-materials for sustainable energy technologies.