Ultrastrong Boron Frameworks in ZrB12: A Highway for Electron Conducting

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

ZrB12, with a high symmetrical cubic structure, possesses both high hardness ≈27.0 GPa and ultralow electrical resistivity ≈18 µΩ cm at room temperature. Both the superior conductivity and hardness of ZrB12 are associated with the extended BB 3D covalent bonding network as it is not only favorable for achieving high hardness, but also provides conducting channels for transporting electrons.