Applications of Phosphorene and Black Phosphorus in Energy Conversion and Storage Devices

Abstract

Black phosphorus was first synthesized by Bridgman in 1914 [1] but has been less intensively studied in the past century due The successful isolation of phosphorene (atomic layer thick black phosphorus) in 2014 has currently aroused the interest of 2D material researchers. In this review, first, the fundamentals of phosphorus allotropes, phosphorene, and black phosphorus, are briefly introduced, along with their structures, properties, and synthesis methods. Second, the readers are presented with an overview of their energy applications. Particularly in electrochemical energy storage, the large interlayer spacing (0.53 nm) in phosphorene allows the intercalation/deintercalation of larger ions as compared to its graphene counterpart. Therefore, phosphorene may possess greater potential for high electrochemical performance. In addition, the status of lithium ion batteries as well as secondary sodium ion batteries is reviewed. Next, each application for energy generation, conversion, and storage is described in detail with milestones as well as the challenges. These emerging applications include supercapacitors, photovoltaic devices, water splitting, photocatalytic hydrogenation, oxygen evolution, and thermoelectric generators. Finally the fast-growing dynamic field of phosphorene research is summarized and perspectives on future possibilities are presented calling on the efforts of chemists, physicists, and material scientists

2D Crystal–Based Fibers: Status and Challenges

“…In addition, black phosphorene has been reported for uses in applications such as sensing, catalysts, transistors, solar cells, and drug delivery. However, black phosphorus deteriorates easily upon exposure to air, or contact with water, which pose challenges for black phosphorene in practical application …”

3D Chemical Cross‐Linking Structure of Black Phosphorus@CNTs Hybrid as a Promising Anode Material for Lithium Ion Batteries

“…As an emerging 2D material, black phosphorus (BP) with high charge‐carrier mobility and theoretical capacity of 2596 mA h g −1 has drawn significant attention . The research of BP in surface science and many electronic related fields, such as field effect transistors, sensors, capacitors, and LI(‐s)Bs shows great significance.…”

Facile Solvothermal Synthesis of Black Phosphorus Nanosheets from Red Phosphorus for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

“…Recently, black phosphorus (BP) nanosheet as a promising novel 2D semiconductor material has attracted significant interest . BP nanosheets possess a thickness‐depended direct band gap ranging from 0.3 to 2.1 eV, perfectly bridging the gap between its 2D counterparts graphene (zero band gap) and transition metal chalcogenides (with a relatively large band gap of 1.5–2.5 eV).…”

“…The harsh growth conditions and the low yield of bulk black phosphorus bring about its very high price in the market. Moreover, the two‐step process for the production of BP nanosheets is complicated and time‐consuming, restricting the wide applications of BP nanosheets , , ,…”