Functionalized Phosphorene Quantum Dots As Efficient Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

Two-dimensional layered materials[1] have been of great interest due to their unique physico-chemical properties and wide range of applications. Wide interest in exfoliated 2D layered materials such as graphene[2] and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) motivated scientists to explore similar layered materials and, phosphorene, a layered counterpart of black phosphorous[3], has attracted lot of attention in recent times. The high air sensitivity and chemical reactivity of mono/few-layered phosphorene remain a big challenge in its synthesis and further applications. Here, a novel strategy for controlled synthesis and in situ surface functionalization of phosphorene quantum dots (PQDs) using a single step electrochemical exfoliation process from bulk black phosphorous crystals is demonstrated. Further, our results prove promising potential of phosphorenes as technologically viable OER electrodes for water splitting devices. Keywords: Phosphorene; Electrochemical synthesis; Oxygen Evolution Reaction References [1] S. Z. Butler, S. M. Hollen, L. Cao, Y. Cui, J. A. Gupta, H. R. Gutiérrez, T. F. Heinz, S. S. Hong, J. Huang, A. F. Ismach, E. Johnston-Halperin, M. Kuno, V. V. Plashnitsa, R. D. Robinson, R. S. Ruoff, S. Salahuddin, J. Shan, L. Shi, M. G. Spencer, M. Terrones, W. Windl, J. E. Goldberger, ACS Nano 2013, 7, 2898-2926. [2] A. K. Geim, Science 2009, 324, 1530. [3] L. Kou, C. Chen, S. C. Smith, The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters 2015, 6, 2794-2805.