We studied the chemical–physical
nature of interactions
involved in the formation of adducts of two-dimensional black phosphorus
(2D BP) with organoboron derivatives of a conjugated fluorescent molecule
(pyrene). Time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy showed a stabilization
effect of 2D BP on all derivatives, in particular for the adducts
endowed with the boronic functionalities. Also, a stronger modulation
of the fluorescence decay with oxygen was registered for one of the
adducts compared to the corresponding organoboron derivative alone.
Nuclear magnetic resonance experiments in suspension and density functional
theory simulations confirmed that only noncovalent interactions were
involved in the formation of the adducts. The energetic gain in their
formation arises from the interaction of P atoms with both C atoms
of the pyrene core and the B atom of the boronic functionalities,
with a stronger contribution from the ester with respect to the acid
one. The interaction results in the lowering of the band gap of 2D
BP by around 0.10 eV. Furthermore, we demonstrated through Raman spectroscopy
an increased stability toward oxidation in air of 2D BP in the adducts
in the solid state (more than 6 months). The modification of the electronic
structure at the interface between 2D BP and a conjugated organic
molecule through noncovalent stabilizing interactions mediated by
the B atom is particularly appealing in view of creating heterojunctions
for optoelectronic, photonic, and chemical sensing applications.
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