B

Boron · elemental boron

Boron is a versatile, thermodynamically stable semiconducting element characterized by an exceptional variety of structural arrangements.

B
Crystal structure of B
Ground-state structure · Materials Project
Overview

About Boron

Boron is a distinct semiconducting element known for its remarkable structural complexity and stability. It exists in numerous allotropic forms, reflecting its unique ability to form complex clusters and networks that define its physical properties.

Because of its inherent stability and electronic nature, boron serves as a foundational material in high-performance applications. It is widely utilized in the synthesis of hard materials and as a vital dopant in the semiconductor industry to modulate electrical conductivity.

At a glance

Key Properties

Cross-validated computational properties for Boron, aggregated across 5 databases.

Band Gap

0.51–1.51 eV
Range across DFT structures

Energy Above Hull

0.000 eV/atom
Best (lowest) across sources

Stability

On hull (stable)
3 DFT sources

Structures

51
5 databases, 13 space groups
Validation

Cross-Source DFT Agreement

How well independent DFT databases agree on the thermodynamics of B. Tight agreement means computed properties can be trusted without re-running calculations.

Agreement Score

1.00 / 1.00
Trust tier: high

Hull Spread

0.000 eV
EAH spread across sources

Sources Compared

3
jarvis, materials_project, nomad

Space Group Consensus

All match
Synthesis

Synthesis Routes

Literature-extracted synthesis procedures targeting B.

Sol Gel
Procedure available · ceder_sol_gel
Sol Gel
Procedure available · ceder_sol_gel
Sol Gel
Procedure available · ceder_sol_gel
Sol Gel
Procedure available · ceder_sol_gel
Sol Gel
Procedure available · ceder_sol_gel
Sol Gel
Procedure available · ceder_sol_gel
Uses

Applications

Where Boron is used.

Semiconductor dopingHard material synthesisBorosilicate glass productionNeutron absorption shielding
Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Boron, answered from cross-validated data.

What is B?

Boron is a versatile, thermodynamically stable semiconducting element characterized by an exceptional variety of structural arrangements.

More questions
What is B used for?
Boron (B) is used in semiconductor doping, hard material synthesis, borosilicate glass production, and neutron absorption shielding.
What is the band gap of B?
Boron (B) has a DFT-computed band gap of 0.51–1.51 eV across 51 reported structures.
Is B a metal, semiconductor, or insulator?
With a band gap up to 1.51 eV it is a semiconductor.
Is B thermodynamically stable?
Yes — Boron (B) sits on the convex hull (energy above hull 0 eV/atom), i.e. on hull (stable).
How many polymorphs of B are known?
51 structures of B are reported across 5 databases, spanning 13 distinct space groups.
How is B synthesized?
Literature-reported routes for B include sol gel (10 procedures documented).
What elements does B contain?
Boron (B) contains B (1 element).
Where does the data for B come from?
B data is cross-referenced from latticegraph.
Comparison

How It Compares

As a pure element, boron occupies a singular position in materials science, serving as the elemental building block for a vast array of boride compounds. Unlike complex multi-element systems, its behavior is defined by its own intrinsic allotropic variety, making it the primary reference point for all boron-based material research.

Data sources & attribution
  • latticegraph — Lattice Graph Materials Intelligence Platform

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