“…The explanation could be found in the study of boron suboxide. For example, the B6O, with a rhombohedral structure similar to βboron, has been reported to exhibit high hardness with low density, high mechanical strength, oxidation resistance and high chemical inertness [141]. The presence of a high electronegativity interstitial in the structure may enhance the strength of bonding, and the shortened covalent bonds are in favor of higher elastic constants and hardness values [129].…”