Black Phosphorous Quantum Dots

Abstract

Black phosphorus a.k.a phosphorene is a very recent offshoot in the genre of 2D materials, which gained immense scientific engrossment ever since its appreciable rediscovery in 2014. Ascribe to the outstanding inherent characteristics like tunable bandgap, good enough carrier mobility, size tunable absorption spectra, narrow emission spectra, potent biodegradability and excellent biocompatibility; BP has become an encouraging successor for various applications in biomedical sector. In the zero dimensional state, black phosphorus quantum dots (BPQDs) has become a crucial substitute for various currently employed carbon based and semiconductor quantum dots. Apart from all the exhibited physico-chemical characteristics of its 2D form, BPQDs has contributed more towards optical applications as well. Even though the outlook seems to be extremely well adapted for biomedicine, practical applications are still highly challenging especially due to its fast degradation and instability under ambient conditions of air and moisture. Therefore proper characterisation and surface modifications should be done to unveil these challenges. The present chapter has adopted strategies to give precise attention inorder familiarise upon the various physico-chemical properties, synthesis methods as well as stability of BPQDs under ambient conditions. Also focussed on the various biomedical applications of BPQDs along with briefly underlining the applications of BPQDs in other research arenas like optoelectronics, photo catalysis etc., Briefly discussed about the possible toxic impacts of this emerging material also.