Boron Isotopes ¹⁰B ¹¹B

Boron has two stable natural isotopes: ¹⁰B and ¹¹B. They are chemically identical, with essentially the same valence, chemical reactivity, coordination ability, bonding characteristics, and chemical behavior in all types of compounds, making them indistinguishable under ordinary chemical conditions. They differ significantly only in atomic mass, nuclear physical properties, and minor thermodynamic physical parameters due to the different number of neutrons in their nuclei.

¹⁰B has a smaller atomic mass, an extremely high thermal neutron absorption cross‑section, and strong neutron capture capability. Its activation products after nuclear reaction are minimal, with no long‑lived radioactive residues. Observable isotopic effects exist compared with ¹¹B in minor thermodynamic properties such as vapor pressure and diffusion rate.

¹¹B has a larger atomic mass and an extremely low thermal neutron absorption cross‑section, making it nearly neutron‑transparent. It exhibits very low activation in radiation environments and excellent irradiation resistance. It is also more nuclear‑inert, with less performance degradation of its physicochemical structure under intense neutron irradiation. Except for isotopic mass and nuclear physical characteristics, its other macroscopic physical and chemical properties are highly consistent with those of ¹⁰B.