Preface

Boron is a group 13 (IIIA) metalloid element with three valence electrons that can be considered as sp2 hybridized for a trigonal planar geometry. Doping/integration of boron atoms into other atoms provides new wonder materials such as boron nitride, borophene, boron carbide, and others with unique physical, chemical, and electrical properties. Boron-based materials are promising materials for many real-world applications.

This book provides an overview of the research and current developments of boron-based materials such as boron nitride, boron clusters, boron doping, boron compounds, and so on. It is organized into two parts: "Principle, Properties and Characteristics of Boron-Based Materials" (Chapters 1 to 4) and "Frontiers and Stateof-Art Applications of Boron-Based Materials" (Chapters 5 to 9). Chapter 1 presents synthesis techniques and properties of boron nitride. Chapter 2 focuses on the theoretical approach and physical properties of borate glass. Chapter 3 describes the modeling and simulation of boron-based clusters. Chapter 4 discusses the characterizations and application of nickel cubic boron nitride. Chapter 5 reviews the design and synthesis of new boron neutron capture therapy agents based on sugars and macrocyclic polyamines. Chapter 6 focuses on boron clusters in biomedical applications. Chapter 7 demonstrates boron-based ionic liquids for energy applications. Chapter 8 examines the doping of boron for semiconductor devices. Chapter 9 summarizes and discusses boron compounds for neutron capture therapy in the treatment of brain tumors.

I would like to express my deep appreciation to all contributors who are experts in their research fields. It is hoped that this book will be a useful tool for better understanding the basic concepts and state-of-the-art applications of boron-based materials.
