Vienna Scientists Achieve Atomic-Precision Nanopore Sculpting in ‘White Graphene’ for Breakthrough Applications

September 13, 2026

University of Vienna, Scientific Frontline Austria

Overview

Researchers at the University of Vienna have achieved unprecedented atomic-level control over nanopore geometries within hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), or ‘white graphene.’ By precisely manipulating electron irradiation and ambient gas environments, they demonstrated the ability to sculpt circular pores in ultra-high vacuum and triangular pores with the introduction of oxygen. This breakthrough significantly expands hBN’s functional capabilities, paving the way for advanced applications in molecular filtration, DNA sequencing, catalysis, and quantum technologies.

In Depth

Background

Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), often dubbed ‘white graphene,’ is a two-dimensional layered material akin to graphene. However, unlike graphene’s semimetallic properties, hBN is a wide bandgap insulator, making it invaluable for next-generation electronics, sensors, and quantum devices due to its exceptional mechanical strength, thermal conductivity, and chemical stability. Nanopore technology itself is a frontier field, enabling molecular separation and detection at the nanoscale and serving as a fundamental building block for quantum information processing. Achieving precise atomic-level control over nanopore shapes is paramount for significantly enhancing performance and efficiency in these diverse application domains.

Key Findings

A team at the University of Vienna has achieved unprecedented atomic-level control over the geometry of nanopores within hexagonal boron nitride (hBN). Employing a finely tuned scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) electron beam in an ultra-high vacuum (UHV) environment, the researchers precisely removed individual atoms from a monolayer hBN film. This electron irradiation alone yielded clean, circular nanopores. Critically, the controlled introduction of a minute amount of oxygen gas during the irradiation process led to a striking transformation, converting the pores from circular to triangular. This remarkable shape engineering is attributed to oxygen atoms preferentially binding to specific lattice sites in the hBN, thereby guiding the subsequent atomic removal pathways.

This ‘tailor-made’ atomic-scale control over nanopore geometry marks a significant advance. It paves the way for new functionalities and enhanced selectivity in applications such as high-performance molecular sieves, advanced nanopore sequencers for DNA and RNA, and novel quantum dots or catalysts. This breakthrough not only elevates hBN nanopore technology but also promises to accelerate commercial nanotechnology applications, with profound implications for ultra-efficient water purification, ultrafast DNA sequencing, and entirely new classes of quantum sensors and catalytic materials, contributing to solutions for global challenges in environmental sustainability, medical diagnostics, and information processing.

Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1143425

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