Rapid and scalable production of high-quality phosphorene by plasma-liquid technology

Layered Double Hydroxide Nanosheets: Synthesis Strategies and Applications in the Field of Energy Conversion

In recent years, layered double hydroxides (LDH) nanosheets have garnered substantial attention as intriguing inorganic anionic layered clay materials. These nanosheets have captured the attention of researchers due to their unique physicochemical properties. This review aims to showcase the latest advancements in laboratory research concerning LDH nanosheets, with a specific emphasis on their methods of preparation. This review provides detailed insights into the factors influencing the anionic conductivity of LDH, along with delineating the applications of LDH nanosheets in the realm of energy conversion. Notably, the review highlights the crucial role of LDH nanosheets in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), a vital process in water splitting and diverse electrochemical applications. The review emphasizes the significant potential of LDH nanosheets in enhancing supercapacitor technology, owing to their high surface area and exceptional charge storage capacity. Additionally, it elucidates the prospective application of LDH nanosheets as anion exchange membranes in anion exchange membrane fuel cells, potentially revolutionizing fuel cell performance through improved efficiency and stability facilitated by enhanced ion transport properties.

Enhance Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Performance via Double-Stacked Edges of Black Phosphorene

Based on the density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we explored the structures and HER catalytic properties of reconstructed and double-stacked black phosphorene (BP) edges. Ten bilayer BP edges were constructed by the double stacking of three typical monolayer edges, i.e., zigzag (ZZ) edge, armchair (AC) edge, skewed diagonal (SD) edge, and their reconstructed derivatives with their layer's configurations, edge deformations and thermodynamic stabilities were discussed. Based on these edges, five chemical sites on four bilayer BP edges were selected to be promising candidates for a HER catalyst, which present higher HER activities than that of Pt(111). Besides, among these four edges, two edges have even lower energetic barriers for the Tafel reaction. Compared with the monolayer edges, these selected bilayer BP edges confirm the remarkable enhancement of the HER catalytic properties, which can be attributed to their unique edge structures and the enhanced electronic densities after the hydrogen adsorptions. Finally, the thermostability of these edges at room temperature has also been proved by the DFT-MD simulations. This theoretic study deepens our fundamental understanding of the double-stacked edge structures of the BP and provides a new way for the rational design of highly efficient and noble-metal-free HER catalysts.

Renaissance of elemental phosphorus materials: properties, synthesis, and applications in sustainable energy and environment

The polymorphism of phosphorus-based materials has garnered much research interest, and the variable chemical bonding structures give rise to a variety of micro and nanostructures. Among the different types of materials containing phosphorus, elemental phosphorus materials (EPMs) constitute the foundation for the synthesis of related compounds. EPMs are experiencing a renaissance in the post-graphene era, thanks to recent advancements in the scaling-down of black phosphorus, amorphous red phosphorus, violet phosphorus, and fibrous phosphorus and consequently, diverse classes of low-dimensional sheets, ribbons, and dots of EPMs with intriguing properties have been produced. The nanostructured EPMs featuring tunable bandgaps, moderate carrier mobility, and excellent optical absorption have shown great potential in energy conversion, energy storage, and environmental remediation. It is thus important to have a good understanding of the differences and interrelationships among diverse EPMs, their intrinsic physical and chemical properties, the synthesis of specific structures, and the selection of suitable nanostructures of EPMs for particular applications. In this comprehensive review, we aim to provide an in-depth analysis and discussion of the fundamental physicochemical properties, synthesis, and applications of EPMs in the areas of energy conversion, energy storage, and environmental remediation. Our evaluations are based on recent literature on well-established phosphorus allotropes and theoretical predictions of new EPMs. The objective of this review is to enhance our comprehension of the characteristics of EPMs, keep abreast of recent advances, and provide guidance for future research of EPMs in the fields of chemistry and materials science.

Long-Term Antifogging Coating Based on Black Phosphorus Hybrid Super-Hydrophilic Polymer Hetero-Network

The antifogging coating based on super-hydrophilic polymer is regarded as the most promising strategy to avoid fogging but suffers from short-term effectiveness due to antifogging failure induced by water invasion. In this study, a black phosphorus nanosheets (BPs) hybrid polymer hetero-network coating (PUA/PAHS/BPs HN) was prepared by UV curing for the first time to achieve long-term antifogging performance. The polymer hetero-network (HN) structure was composed of two novel cross-linked acrylic resin and polyurethane acrylate. Different from physical blending, a covalent P-C bond between BPs and polymer is generated by UV initiated free radical reaction, resulting in BPs firmly embedded in the polymer HN structure. The BPs enriched on the coating surface by UV regulating migration prevent permeation of water towards the inside of the coating through its own good water-based lubricity and water absorption capacity. Compared with the nonhybrid polymer HN, PUA/PAHS/BPs HN not only has higher hardness and better friction resistance properties, but also exhibits superior water resistance and longer antifogging duration. Since water invasion was greatly reduced by BPs, the PUA/PAHS/BPs HN coating maintained antifogging duration for 60 min under a 60 °C water vapor test and still maintained long-term antifogging performance after being immersed in water for 5 days.

Large-Scale Production of Rectorite Nanosheets and Their Co-Assembly with Aramid Nanofibers for High-Performance Electrical Insulating Nanopapers

Compared with raw rectorite microplatelets (RMs), rectorite nanosheets (RNs) have considerably greater application prospects in the preparation of advanced composite materials because of their larger aspect ratio, higher surface reactivity, and intrinsically superior mechanical and physical properties. However, the difficulty in the efficient preparation of RNs significantly limits their large-scale applications. Here, a scalable poly(vinylpyrrolidone)-assisted stirring approach is developed to prepare ultrathin RNs from the abundant natural RMs. A higher production rate (≈0.675 g h^-1 ) is achieved compared with that of most other nanosheets. Additionally, instead of using conventional time- and energy-consuming high-speed centrifugation, an efficient poly(dienedimethylammonium chloride)-assisted sedimentation strategy is proposed here to rapidly separate the exfoliated RNs from the RN dispersion. Then, the RNs are co-assembled with aramid nanofibers (ANFs) into large-scale nacre-mimetic ANF-RN nanopapers with considerably enhanced mechanical, electrical insulating, and high-temperature-resistant properties compared with pure ANF nanopapers and ANF-RM micropapers. Moreover, these properties are superior to those of previously reported ANF-based nanopapers and commercial insulating micropapers.

Blue and black phosphorene on metal substrates: a density functional theory study

We have performed density functional theory calculations to study blue phosphorene and black phosphorene on metal substrates. The substrates considered are the (111) and (110) surfaces of Al, Cu, Ag, Ir, Pd, Pt and Au and the (0001) and (101¯0) surfaces of Zr and Sc. The formation energyE_Fis negative (energetically favorable) for all 36 combinations of overlayer and substrate. By comparing values of ΔΩ, the change in free energy per unit area, as well as the overlayer-substrate binding energyE_b, we identify that Ag(111), Al(110), Cu(111), Cu(110) and possibly Au(110) may be especially suitable substrates for the synthesis and subsequent exfoliation of blue phosphorene, and the Ag(110) and Al(111) substrates for the synthesis of black phosphorene. However, these conclusions are drawn assuming the source of P atoms is bulk phosphorus, and can alter upon changing synthesis conditions (chemical potential of phosphorus). Thus, when the source of phosphorus atoms is P₄, blue phosphorene is favored only over Pt(111). We find that for all combinations of overlayer and substrate, the charge transfer per bond can be captured by the universal descriptorD=Δχ/ΔR, where ΔχandΔRare, respectively, the differences in electronegativity and atomic size between phosphorus and the substrate metal.

Multifunctional layered black phosphorene-based nanoplatform for disease diagnosis and treatment: a review

As an outstanding two-dimensional material, black phosphorene, has attracted significant attention in the biomedicine field due to its large surface area, strong optical absorption, distinct bioactivity, excellent biocompatibility, and high biodegradability. In this review, the preparation and properties of black phosphorene are summarized first. Thereafter, black phosphorene-based multifunctional platforms employed for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, including cancer, bone injuries, brain diseases, progressive oxidative diseases, and kidney injury, are reviewed in detail. This review provides a better understanding of the exciting properties of black phosphorene, such as its high drug-loading efficiency, photothermal conversion capability, high 1O2 generation efficiency, and high electrical conductivity, as well as how these properties can be exploited in biomedicine. Finally, the research perspectives of black phosphorene are discussed.

Chemistry of Phosphorene: Synthesis, Functionalization and Biomedical Applications in an Update Review

The present review aims to highlight the potential of an emerging 2D single element material: phosphorene. Attention is focused on the more recent studies on phosphorene, in terms of synthetic approaches, modification aimed at its stabilization, and potential applications in the biomedical field. Critical aspects for a practical use of phosphorene are discussed, in order to show a realistic scenario and challenges facing researchers.