A simple route to functionalised boron nanoparticles has been developed by a team of US scientists. 

Existing methods to make boron nanoparticles involve the gas-phase decomposition of diborane, a toxic and flammable gas. However, the new route, devised by Philip Power and colleagues at the University of California, Davis, does not use flammable gases and is carried out at room temperature. 

Power and colleagues make organo-capped boron nanoparticles by the reduction of boron tribromide using sodium naphthalenide, in dry dimethoxyethane. This creates a bromide-capped intermediate that reacts with octanol to form the first organo-capped boron nanoparticles.

A variety of capping agents could be used, making the method versatile and the bromide-capped intermediate makes it possible to carry out hydrogenation at the surface, explained Power. 

Power and colleagues are currently investigating the synthesis of hydride-capped boron nanoparticles for use as hydrogen storage vessels. 

'It is expected that this work will provide a platform for the synthesis of innumerable organically capped boron nanoparticle compounds with a variety of applications,' said Power. 

Alison Stoddart