Creation of new 2D materials using boron

Abstract

The new two-dimensional material named hydrogen boride (HB) sheets can be formed by exchanging magnesium cations contained in magnesium diboride (MgB₂) with hydrogen cations using an ion exchange resin under the mild conditions of room temperature and atmospheric pressure in acetonitrile. HB sheets can release hydrogen not only by heating above 423 K but also by ultraviolet irradiation, indicating that the HB sheets are a good candidate for a hydrogen carrier material because it can easily release hydrogen safely at room temperature and atmospheric pressure only when hydrogen is needed. It was also revealed that HB has the property of being a solid acid catalyst when the hydrogen content is reduced. Here we review the HB formation and catalytic property.