Build Borophite from Borophenes: A Boron Analogue Graphite

Unlike graphene derived from graphite, borophenes represent a distinct class of synthetic two-dimensional materials devoid of analogous bulk-layered allotropes, leading to covalent bonding within borophenes instead of van der Waals (vdW) stacking. Our investigation focuses on 665 vdW-stacking boron bilayers to uncover potential bulk-layered boron allotropes through vdW stacking. Systematic high-throughput screening and stability analysis reveal a prevailing inclination toward covalently bonded layers in the majority of boron bilayers. However, an intriguing outlier emerges in delta(5) borophene, demonstrating potential as a vdW-stacking candidate. We delve into electronic and topological structural similarities between delta(5) borophene and graphene, shedding light on the structural integrity and stability of vdW-stacked boron structures across bilayers, multilayers, and bulk-layered allotropes. The delta(5) borophene analogues exhibit metallic properties and characteristics of phonon-mediated superconductors, boasting a critical temperature near 22 K. This study paves the way for the concept of "borophite", a long-awaited boron analogue of graphite.