Borophene is a new, poorly researched 2D nanomaterial, normally synthesized in
monolayers using complicated and expensive bottom-up approaches. Although it's
availability is fairly limited, borophene's theoretical calculations predict it's superior
properties in terms of hydrogen storage, catalytic activity, spectral selectivity and
anticorrosive activity. The use of nanomaterials in spectrally selective coatings for solar
absorbers is capable of high solar absorbtion, combined with extremely low thermal
emission, which results in greater energy yield compared to traditional absorber
coatings. 2D nanomaterials also allow for a fairly simple modification of their optical
properties through surface functionalization or particle dimension control. Despite the
fact that different 2D nanomaterials have a rather similar structure, their properties can
vary greatly, which is why the best candidate for each application is yet to be found.
In my master's thesis I resorted to liquid phase exfoliation to successefully prepare
mono and few-layered borophene from multilayered precursor material. I researched the
synthesis path of both materials in great detail and characterized both using methods
such as scanning electron microscopy and atomic force mocroscopy. To give myself
access to further applications I also identified a reliable technique for formation of
uniform monolayered films and films of controlled thickness. I used these techniques to
obtain information about optical and anticorrosive properties of borophene
nanoplatelets. It turns out that borophene absorbs 90% of solar energy in the UV part of
the spectrum, while exhibiting poor spectral selectivity, but great anticorrosive effect.
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