Record-breaking number of boron atoms recorded in a single molecular species

14-Aug-2013 - USA

Scientists in the United States have synthesised a molecular species containing the highest number of boron atoms ever recorded by crystallographic characterisation.

The unique supramolecular cuboctahedron contains 240 boron atoms. The previous record for the most boron atoms in a single species was a heptanuclear silver aggregate reported in 2010, but this species contained only 88 boron atoms.

Boron-rich nanostructures form the basis of high-energy materials, nanoelectric materials and boron neutron capture therapy agents.

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