Recent progress on cubic boron arsenide with ultrahigh thermal conductivity

Predictions of ultrahigh thermal conductivity in boron arsenide using first-principles calculations have motivated research to synthesize crystals and investigate their properties. In 2018, three groups reported synthesizing small single crystals of boron arsenide that exhibit thermal conductivity of 700–1300 W m−1 K−1 at room temperature. The progress in crystal growth has attracted significant attention and has inspired additional theoretical and experimental research. This brief review provides an overview of recent theoretical and experimental studies on boron arsenide, mostly since 2018. Progress in theoretical calculations, synthesis methods, characterizations, physical properties, and potential applications are presented, followed by a discussion of the remaining challenges and outlook for boron arsenide research.