Borophene-like quantum dots (BPQDs) are emerging as promising alternatives to conventional semiconductor quantum dots due to their unique structural, crystalline, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties, as well as their non-toxic nature. BPQDs can be precisely controlled through surface passivation, offering a wide range of phase structures and properties for borophene nanomaterials. This research article presents a novel top-down approach (laser ablation) for the mass production of highly uniform BPQDs from bulk boron. Boron powder was dispersed in N , N -dimethylformamide (DMF) using a stirrer, followed by laser ablation at 532 nm and ultracentrifugation to obtain ultrathin BPQDs. The resulting BPQDs had a diameter of approximately 1.83 nm and a thickness of 2.13 nm, with significantly improved electrical conductivity of 2.11 × 10 −1 S/cm and a band gap of 2.75 eV. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) investigations confirmed the presence of hydrides, oxides, hydroxides, and oxygen-containing functional groups in the BPQDs, highlighting their promising potential for energy storage applications. Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) measurements revealed notable coercivity and magnetic characteristics, which further emphasized their suitability for hydrogen storage applications. These BPQDs, synthesized through the laser ablation technique, exhibited enhanced structural, electrical, optical, and magnetic properties, demonstrating their strong potential for applications in nanoelectronics, energy storage, tissue engineering, radiation shielding, drug delivery, and neutron capture therapy. This research contributes to the development of boron-rich nanostructured materials for future lighting applications.
Adebisi et al. (Mon,) studied this question.