Borate ion

Borate ion is a chemical species of boron and oxygen that exhibits diverse biological and material science applications. It has been shown to stimulate macrophages, leading to the promotion of osteogenic differentiation in mesenchymal stem cells, suggesting its utility in bone regeneration. In dental applications, borate ions can adsorb to enamel and dentin in a tetra-coordinated form, providing a buffering capacity that helps protect tooth structure against acid attacks and promotes remineralization. Furthermore, borate ions are crucial in the development of advanced materials, such as highly stretchable, self-healing, and injectable hydrogels, where they form dynamic boronate ester bonds and hydrogen bonding interactions, and act as crosslinking agents in polymer composites like polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) for enhanced mechanical and thermal properties. Its interactions also extend to ion-pairing in various chemical systems and roles in wastewater purification and catalysis.