Chemical instability of free-standing boron monolayers and properties of oxidized borophene sheets

Abstract

In this work we report results of step-by-step modeling of the oxidation of free-standing boron monolayers of different types. Results of the calculations demonstrate that the process of the oxidation is always exothermic and lead toward the formation of foam-like boron oxide films with incorporated non-oxidized small boron clusters. Some of these boron-oxide films demonstrate the presence of chemically stable magnetic centers. Evaluation of the physical properties of oxidized boprophene sheets (OBS) demonstrate it possible application in solar energy, as sensors and coating against leakage of hydrogen.