GoKawiilNew boron allotrope Imma-B60 shows conductivity a million times higher than typical boron
Researchers led by Xiang-Feng Zhou at Yanshan University created a previously unknown form of pure boron, called Imma-B60, using a two-step high-pressure synthesis involving sodium followed by vacuum heating to remove sodium impurities. The resulting material is deformable and has an electrical conductivity over a million times greater than that of typical, poorly conducting boron phases, according to a study published in Nature Chemistry.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Boron allotropes are notoriously hard to synthesize and detect, and this is reportedly the first new one discovered in 16 years, suggesting the sodium-based synthesis route could open access to other predicted but unmade boron structures. Materials chemist Artem Oganov suggests this approach could enable an entire family of new boron materials, which may prove useful given the unusual combination of deformability and high conductivity, properties not typically found together in boron.
- Imma-B60 is a new boron allotrope with conductivity over a million times higher than typical boron phases.
- It was synthesized via a novel two-step process: high-pressure reaction with sodium, then vacuum heating to remove sodium impurities.
- This marks the first new boron allotrope discovery in about 16 years, potentially opening a route to other predicted forms.
Source: nature.com — Shenai, 2026-09-23
Published there as: “This weird form of boron is a million times more conductive than chemists expected”
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