Disorder and defects are not intrinsic to boron carbide

Scientific Reports
Swastik MondalS Van Smaalen

Abstract

A unique combination of useful properties in boron-carbide, such as extreme hardness, excellent fracture toughness, a low density, a high melting point, thermoelectricity, semi-conducting behavior, catalytic activity and a remarkably good chemical stability, makes it an ideal material for a wide range of technological applications. Explaining these properties in terms of chemical bonding has remained a major challenge in boron chemistry. Here we report the synthesis of fully ordered, stoichiometric boron-carbide B13C2 by high-pressure-high-temperature techniques. Our experimental electron-density study using high-resolution single-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction data conclusively demonstrates that disorder and defects are not intrinsic to boron carbide, contrary to what was hitherto supposed. A detailed analysis of the electron density distribution reveals charge transfer between structural units in B13C2 and a new type of electron-deficient bond with formally unpaired electrons on the C-B-C group in B13C2. Unprecedented bonding features contribute to the fundamental chemistry and materials science of boron compounds that is of great interest for understanding structure-property relationships and development of novel func...Continue Reading

References

Dec 15, 1985·Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter·L J AzevedoC Wood
Jun 1, 1996·Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter·O ChauvetL Zuppiroli
Mar 8, 2003·Science·Mingwei ChenKevin J Hemker
Apr 8, 2011·Angewandte Chemie·Jesse J SabatiniRussell N Broad
Jun 28, 2011·Physical Review Letters·Swastik MondalNatalia Dubrovinskaia
Sep 5, 2012·Journal of Physics. Condensed Matter : an Institute of Physics Journal·Helmut Werheit, Sulkhan Shalamberidze
Jan 29, 2013·Angewandte Chemie·Jikai LiuPingyun Feng
Sep 21, 2013·Nature Communications·K Madhav ReddyM W Chen
Oct 3, 2014·Journal of Physics. Condensed Matter : an Institute of Physics Journal·Helmut Werheit, Guido Gerlach

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Mar 27, 2018·Angewandte Chemie·Karsten RasimYuri Grin
Aug 2, 2017·Acta Crystallographica Section B, Structural Science, Crystal Engineering and Materials·Riccardo DestroLeonardo Lo Presti
Jan 12, 2021·Nanoscale·Yuqi GuoQing Hua Wang

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Methods Mentioned

BETA
x-ray diffraction
X-ray

Software Mentioned

EVAL
XD2006
XDGRAPH
XDPROP
TOPXD

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.