Borophene Tubes

Background:

Borophene nanotubes (BNT) have been a synthetic goal for decades based on predictions of their usefulness in energy storage and generation. BNTs offer options for carbon nanotubes applications, as well as extensions beyond these as they demonstrate improved catalytic, electrocatalytic and photocatalytic properties exceeding their carbon counterparts.

Technology Overview:

This University at Buffalo technology represents the first successful synthesis of borophene tubes, and the procedure can be done in a one-pot fashion for ease in commercial scalability. The resulting borophene nanotubes mimic the applications of carbon nanotubes with expansion beyond these through BNT’s capabilities forming multiple phases of borophene sheets through the varying connectivity formats of boron atoms. As such, this technology offers a rapid, safe, and scalable method to synthesize borophene nanotubes.

 Advantages:

• One-pot synthesis method
• Scalable synthesis for commercial production
• Safer production conditions using inexpensive instrumentation

 Applications:

• Electronic chips
• Spintronic chips 
• Optoelectronics
• Sensing applications: biologicals, gas, light, strain, explosive materials
• Disease diagnosis
• Drug delivery
• Energy storage and generation

Intellectual Property Summary:

US Provisional Patent Application 63/707,591 was filed on October 15, 2024.

Stage of Development:

Synthesis method proven, products characterized, and application specific development in process.

Licensing Status: 

Available for license or collaboration.