Recent Progresses in the Investigation of Rare-earth Boron Inverse Sandwich Clusters

While rare-earth borides represent a class of important materials in modern industries,there are few fundamental researches on their electronic structures and physicochemical properties.Recently,we have performed combined experimental and theoretical studies on rare-earth boron clusters and their cluster-assembled complexes,revealing a series of rare-earth inverse sandwich clusters with fascinating electronic structures and chemical bonding patterns.In this overview article,we summarize recent progresses in this area and provide a perspective view on the future development of rare-earth boride clusters.Understanding the electronic structures of these clusters helps to design materials of f-element(lanthanide and actinide)borides with critical physiochemical properties.