Recent advance in black phosphorus: Properties and applications

• Published in: Materials chemistry and physics 2017-03, Vol.189, p.215-229
• Main Authors: Zhao, Yun, Chen, Yong, Zhang, Ye-Hua, Liu, Shu-Feng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Application; Atomic structure; Chemical synthesis; Chemists; Mechanical properties; Nanomaterials; Optical properties; Optoelectronics; Phosphorene; Phosphorus; Synthesis
• ISSN: 0254-0584; 1879-3312
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2016.12.014

Black phosphorus (BP) atomic layers, also called phosphorene, has triggered a recent renaissance of interest owing to its unique structure as well as fascinating optical and electronic properties. Several good reviews have been published in the past two years either concerning its physical and mechanical properties or electronic and optoelectronic applications. Herein, we offer our opinions from chemists' viewpoints on this emerging two-dimensional (2D) nano-material. A relatively comprehensive summarization for the recent advances of phosphorene is given, including the basic properties, fabrication features and promising applications especially the applications in chemical and biochemical analysis which have not been so widely mentioned in the past works. We also briefly discuss the drawbacks and limitations of phosphorene, and give a short outlook on the future directions. This tutorial review will be a desirable enlightenment for the new coming researchers and also inspire the fellow researchers to explore more appealing chemical characteristics and potentials of phosphorene especially toward chemical sensing and biochemical applications. •General knowledge about phosphorene is given, including structure and properties.•Different kinds of synthesis routes and characterization methods are compared.•Special emphasis are given on phosphorene's chemical or biochemical applications.•Device applications made with phosphorene-based hetero-hybrids are presented.