Study predicts bilayer boron superconducts at 200 K

Chinese researchers have shown that a bilayer of boron, when squeezed to high pressure, could become a superconductor at temperatures up to about 200 K, far above the current record of 203 K set by hydrogen sulfide under extreme pressure. The study, published in *Physical Review Letters*, used computer simulations to predict that two atomic layers of boron would conduct electricity without resistance at temperatures close to –73 °C, a level that would make superconductivity practical for many applications.

Superconductivity has long been prized for its promise of loss‑free power transmission, powerful electromagnets, and ultra‑fast electronics. The main obstacle has been the need for temperatures near absolute zero, which require expensive cryogenic equipment. Recent advances in two‑dimensional materials—thin sheets of atoms that can be stacked or engineered—have opened new avenues for finding superconductors that work at higher temperatures. Boron, a lightweight element that forms strong covalent bonds, has attracted attention because its electronic structure can change dramatically when layered or compressed.

Theoretical calculations in the paper show that the bilayer boron structure has strong electron‑phonon coupling, a key ingredient for conventional superconductivity. Under a pressure of around 30 GPa, the model predicts a superconducting transition temperature (Tc) of roughly 200 K, which would surpass all known materials except for the recently reported 203 K of hydrogen sulfide. The authors compared their results to other high‑Tc compounds such as magnesium diboride (Tc ≈ 39 K) and the hydrogen‑rich hydrides. While the numbers are promising, the study also notes that experimental verification will be challenging; producing a clean, defect‑free bilayer of boron and maintaining it under high pressure requires sophisticated techniques.

If experimentalists can confirm these predictions, bilayer boron could become a cornerstone for next‑generation superconducting technology. Researchers plan to use advanced deposition methods to grow the boron layers and then apply diamond‑anvil cells to reach the necessary pressures. Success would bring the field closer to the elusive goal of room‑temperature superconductivity, potentially revolutionizing power grids, magnetic levitation, and quantum computing. The study underscores how theoretical work can point the way toward materials that could dramatically reshape energy and technology.