Black phosphorus: a two-dimensional reductant for in situ nanofabrication

The reducing capability of two-dimensional black phosphorus is demonstrated. The high reducing ability and unique two-dimensional morphology of black phosphorus not only facilitate in situ synthesis of Au nanoparticles and BP@Au composites, but also enable multiscale control of local reduction of GO to reduced GO (rGO). The novel two-dimensional reductant has large potential in various in situ nanofabrication applications. Synthesis of various nano-sized materials generally involves chemical reduction with an extrinsic reductant. Here Prof. Xuefeng Yu, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and co-workers have uncovered the reducing capability of black phosphorus (BP), a new 2D semiconductor material. It is demonstrated that the high reducing ability and unique 2D morphology of BP not only facilitate in situ synthesis of Au nanoparticles and BP@Au nanocomposites, but also enable multiscale control in local reduction of a graphene oxide to a reduced graphene oxide. The novel 2D reductant has large potential in various in situ nanofabrication applications and this study extends the application of 2D materials to new areas.