Stable functionalized phosphorenes with photocatalytic HER activity

Abstract

Phosphorene, a mono-elemental 2D material of phosphorus, can catalyze the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) owing to the suitable position of its conduction band minimum but the ambient instability of phosphorene is the major challenge for its application. We have functionalized phosphorene with indium(III) chloride, tris(pentafluorophenyl) borane and a benzyl group. The functionalized phosphorenes show stability under ambient conditions as well as good dispersibility in water and exhibit hydrogen yields as high as 6597 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹. The HER activity of the functionalized phosphorenes is much superior compared to pristine phosphorene and black phosphorus-based catalysts reported earlier.