Facile bottom-up synthesis of partially oxidized black phosphorus nanosheets as metal-free photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution

Abstract

SignificanceBlack phosphorus (BP) nanosheet is a “hot” class of 2D material having wide applications in optoelectronics, catalysis, biomedicine, etc. However, facile synthesis of BP nanosheets is not achieved by far. Currently, BP nanosheets are mainly prepared via solution-based exfoliation of bulk crystals, a process that is complicated, time-consuming, and costly. Moreover, the as-prepared BP nanosheets are not stable. Here, we developed a facile bottom-up protocol for preparing BP nanosheets in solution at low temperature. Our synthetic procedure is conceptually simple and can be performed in common chemical laboratories. The estimated synthesis cost is less than 1 US dollar per gram. Our work, therefore, offers the community an unlimited access to such 2D material.

A Low‐Cost Metal‐Free Photocatalyst Based on Black Phosphorus

“…[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] Owing to the unique optical and electrical properties, BP holds large promise in the fields of energy and catalysis. [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] In particular, BP has a thicknessdependent direct bandgap ranging from 0.3 to 2.1 eV, leading to broad absorption spanning the ultraviolet (UV) and near-infrared only 25 min. The photocatalytic efficiency is comparable to that of previously reported BP/CN heterostructures composed of BP nanosheets or quantum dots.…”

“…[33][34][35][36] Nevertheless, efficient synthesis of BP/CN heterostructures is still challenging and the BP materials used in production are typically limited to ultrathin nanosheets and quantum dots. [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] In particular, BP has a thicknessdependent direct bandgap ranging from 0.3 to 2.1 eV, leading to broad absorption spanning the ultraviolet (UV) and near-infrared All in all, an economical synthetic technique to prepare BPbased heterostructured photocatalysts is still lacking.…”

Direct Z‐Scheme Hetero‐phase Junction of Black/Red Phosphorus for Photocatalytic Water Splitting

“…[3] Especially,t he adjustable direct-band-gap enables BP as an efficient photocatalyst for water splitting with wide response in the solar light spectrum. [5] To overcome this drawback, BP-based heterostructure systems have been proved to be effective for boosting the separation of photogenerated carriers. [5] To overcome this drawback, BP-based heterostructure systems have been proved to be effective for boosting the separation of photogenerated carriers.…”

Black Phosphorus/Platinum Heterostructure: A Highly Efficient Photocatalyst for Solar‐Driven Chemical Reactions

“…[10][11][12][13][14] The layer-dependent direct bandgap ranging between 0.3 and 2.0 eV makes BP a promising absorber of broad solar light extending into the infrared region. [21][22][23][24][25][26] A 2D black phosphorus/platinum heterostructure (Pt/BP) is developed as a highly efficient photocatalyst for solar-driven chemical reactions. [20] These properties of BP are unique from the perspective of solar energy conversion by photocatalysis and have been demonstrated in H 2 evolution and degradation reactions.…”

“…[20] These properties of BP are unique from the perspective of solar energy conversion by photocatalysis and have been demonstrated in H 2 evolution and degradation reactions. [21][22][23][24][25][26] A 2D black phosphorus/platinum heterostructure (Pt/BP) is developed as a highly efficient photocatalyst for solar-driven chemical reactions. The heterostructure, synthesized by depositing BP nanosheets with ultrasmall (≈1.1 nm) Pt nanoparticles, shows strong Pt-P interactions and excellent stability.…”