The use of surface modified boron nanoparticles and clusters are standard materials for targeted cancer treatments using boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). The synthesis of boron nanoparticles are typically made through laser pyrolysis and decomposition of diborane gases which are highly toxic. In this work, we have used a templated synthesis method where trigonal boron compounds react with alcohol-rich diamond to yield boron capped diamond nanoparticles. Boron trichloride, boron tribromide and borane in THF were found to react with the nanodiamond sample at room temperature under inert conditions. For example, we found the precursors BBr3 and BCl3 were highly reactive with oxidized nanoscale diamond surfaces and surprisingly we found sheet-like structures with TEM and SEM imaging. Surface sensitive spectroscopies (DRIFTS, XAS, XPS) were used to probe the molecular and atomic structure of the ND constructs’ surface and quantification showed the boron shell was less than 1 nm. We hypothesize that the reaction is self terminating and hinders thicker boron templating with the current method. Additionally, the ND-B nanostructures were encapsulated in liposomes as a demonstration for later BNCT technology.

Ultrathin boron templating on nanoscale diamond surfaces using trigonal boron precursors

Fall 2022 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch in mid-September.

ACS Fall 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.