New design rule proposed for boron nanomaterials

EUON's latest Nanopinion, "From Boron Fullerenes to Borophenes: A Simple Rule for Designing New Nanomaterials," lays out a coordination-based method for predicting how boron nanomaterials will behave structurally, replacing guesswork with a more systematic approach. By tracking how boron atoms coordinate in four-, five- and six-fold arrangements, the author connects boron fullerenes—closed, cage-like structures—to flat, two-dimensional borophenes. This coordination pattern offers a shortcut for spotting candidate materials with promising electronic and mechanical properties, potentially speeding up development work in nanoelectronics, energy storage, catalysis and advanced coatings.