Stability, Chemical Bonding, and Electron Lone Pair Localization in AsN at High Pressure by Density Functional Theory Calculations.

The covalent bonding framework of crystalline single-bonded cubic AsN, recently synthesized under high pressure and high temperature conditions in a laser-heated diamond anvil cell, is here studied by means of density functional theory calculations and compared to single crystal X-ray diffraction data. The precise localization of the nonbonding electron lone pairs and the determination of their distances and orientations are related to the presence of characteristic structural motifs and space regions of the unit cell dominated by repulsive electronic interactions, with the relative orientation of the electron lone pairs playing a key role in minimizing the energy of the structure. We find that the vibrational modes associated with the expression of the lone pairs are strongly localized, an observation that may have implications for the thermal conductivity of the compound. The results indicate the thermodynamic stability of the experimentally observed structure of AsN above ∼17 GPa, provide a detailed insight into the nature of the chemical bonding network underlying the formation of this compound, and open new perspectives to the design and high pressure synthesis of new pnictogen-based advanced materials for potential applications of energetic and technological relevance.

High-pressure and high-temperature synthesis of crystalline Sb3 N5.

A chemical reaction between Sb and N2 was induced under high-pressure (32-35 GPa) and high-temperature (1600-2200 K) conditions, generated by a laser heated diamond anvil cell. The reaction product was identified by single crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction at 35 GPa and room temperature as crystalline antimony nitride with Sb3 N5 stoichiometry and structure belonging to orthorhombic space group Cmc21 . Only Sb-N bonds are present in the covalent bonding framework, with two types of Sb atoms respectively forming SbN6 distorted octahedra and trigonal prisms and three types of N atoms forming NSb4 distorted tetrahedra and NSb3 trigonal pyramids. Taking into account two longer Sb-N distances, the SbN6 trigonal prisms can be depicted as SbN8 square antiprisms and the NSb3 trigonal pyramids as NSb4 distorted tetrahedra. The Sb3 N5 structure can be described as an ordered stacking in the bc plane of bi- layers of SbN6 octahedra alternated to monolayers of SbN6 trigonal prisms (SbN8 square antiprisms). The discovery of Sb3 N5 finally represents the long sought-after experimental evidence for Sb to form a crystalline nitride, providing new insights about fundamental aspects of pnictogens chemistry and opening new perspectives for the high-pressure chemistry of pnictogen nitrides and the synthesis of an entire class of new materials.

High-Pressure and High-Temperature Chemistry of Phosphorus and Nitrogen: Synthesis and Characterization of α- and γ-P3N5.

The direct chemical reactivity between phosphorus and nitrogen was induced under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions (9.1 GPa and 2000-2500 K), generated by a laser-heated diamond anvil cell and studied by synchrotron X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and DFT calculations. α-P3N5 and γ-P3N5 were identified as reaction products. The structural parameters and vibrational frequencies of γ-P3N5 were characterized as a function of pressure during room-temperature compression and decompression to ambient conditions, determining the equation of state of the material up to 32.6 GPa and providing insight about the lattice dynamics of the unit cell during compression, which essentially proceeds through the rotation of the PN5 square pyramids and the distortion of the PN4 tetrahedra. Although the identification of α-P3N5 demonstrates for the first time the direct synthesis of this compound from the elements, its detection in the outer regions of the laser-heated area suggests α-P3N5 as an intermediate step in the progressive nitridation of phosphorus toward the formation of γ-P3N5 with increasing coordination number of P by N from 4 to 5. No evidence of a higher-pressure phase transition was observed, excluding the existence of predicted structures containing octahedrally hexacoordinated P atoms in the investigated pressure range.

Single-Bonded Cubic AsN from High-Pressure and High-Temperature Chemical Reactivity of Arsenic and Nitrogen.

Chemical reactivity between As and N2 , leading to the synthesis of crystalline arsenic nitride, is here reported under high pressure and high temperature conditions generated by laser heating in a diamond anvil cell. Single-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction at different pressures between 30 and 40 GPa provides evidence for the synthesis of a covalent compound of AsN stoichiometry, crystallizing in a cubic P21 3 space group, in which each of the two elements is single-bonded to three atoms of the other and hosts an electron lone pair, in a tetrahedral anisotropic coordination. The identification of characteristic structural motifs highlights the key role played by the directional repulsive interactions between non-bonding electron lone pairs in the formation of the AsN structure. Additional data indicate the existence of AsN at room temperature from 9.8 up to 50 GPa. Implications concern fundamental aspects of pnictogens chemistry and the synthesis of innovative advanced materials.

Interlayer Coordination of Pd-Pd Units in Exfoliated Black Phosphorus.

The chemical functionalization of 2D exfoliated black phosphorus (2D BP) continues to attract great interest, although a satisfactory structural characterization of the functionalized material has seldom been achieved. Herein, we provide the first complete structural characterization of 2D BP functionalized with rare discrete Pd2 units, obtained through a mild decomposition of the organometallic dimeric precursor [Pd(η3-C3H5)Cl]2. A multitechnique approach, including HAADF-STEM, solid-state NMR, XPS, and XAS, was used to study in detail the morphology of the palladated nanosheets (Pd2/BP) and to unravel the coordination of Pd2 units to phosphorus atoms of 2D BP. In particular, XAS, backed up by DFT modeling, revealed the existence of unprecedented interlayer Pd-Pd units, sandwiched between stacked BP layers. The preliminary application of Pd2/BP as a catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic medium highlighted an activity increase due to the presence of Pd2 units.

Enhanced ambient stability of exfoliated black phosphorus by passivation with nickel nanoparticles.

Since its discovery, the environmental instability of exfoliated black phosphorus (2D bP) has emerged as a challenge that hampers its wide application in chemistry, physics, and materials science. Many studies have been carried out to overcome this drawback. Here we show a relevant enhancement of ambient stability in few-layer bP decorated with nickel nanoparticles as compared to pristine bP. In detail, the behavior of the Ni-functionalized material exposed to ambient conditions in the dark is accurately studied by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Raman Spectroscopy, and high resolution x-ray Photoemission and Absorption Spectroscopy. These techniques provide a morphological and quantitative insight of the oxidation process taking place at the surface of the bP flakes. In the presence of Ni nanoparticles (NPs), the decay time of 2D bP to phosphorus oxides is more than three time slower compared to pristine bP, demonstrating an improved structural stability within 20 months of observation.

A Perspective on Recent Advances in Phosphorene Functionalization and Its Applications in Devices.

Phosphorene, the 2D material derived from black phosphorus, has recently attracted a lot of interest for its properties, suitable for applications in materials science. The physical features and the prominent chemical reactivity on its surface render this nanolayered substrate particularly promising for electrical and optoelectronic applications. In addition, being a new potential ligand for metals, it opens the way for a new role of the inorganic chemistry in the 2D world, with special reference to the field of catalysis. The aim of this review is to summarize the state of the art in this subject and to present our most recent results in the preparation, functionalization, and use of phosphorene and its decorated derivatives. We discuss several key points, which are currently under investigation: the synthesis, the characterization by theoretical calculations, the high pressure behavior of black phosphorus, as well as its decoration with nanoparticles and encapsulation in polymers. Finally, device fabrication and electrical transport measurements are overviewed on the basis of recent literature and the new results collected in our laboratories.

Hybrid nanocomposites of 2D black phosphorus nanosheets encapsulated in PMMA polymer material: new platforms for advanced device fabrication.

Hybrid materials, containing a 2D filler embedded in a polymeric matrix, are an interesting platform for several applications, because of the variety of properties that the filler can impart to the polymer matrix when dispersed at the nanoscale. Moreover, novel properties could arise from the interaction between the two. Mostly the bulk properties of these materials have been studied so far, especially focusing on how the filler changes the polymeric matrix properties. Here we propose a complete change of perspective by using the hybrid nanocomposite material as a platform suitable to engineer the properties of the filler and to exploit its potential in the fabrication of devices. As a proof of concept of the versatility and the potential of the new method, we applied this approach to prepare black phosphorus (bP) nanocomposites through its dispersion in poly (methyl methacrylate). bP is a very interesting 2D material, whose application have so far been limited by its high reactivity to oxygen and water. In this respect, we show that electronic-grade bP flakes, already embedded in a protecting matrix since their exfoliation from the bulk material, are endowed with significantly increased stability and can be further processed into devices without degrading their properties.

Interlayer Bond Formation in Black Phosphorus at High Pressure.

Black phosphorus was compressed at room temperature across the A17, A7 and simple-cubic phases up to 30 GPa, using a diamond anvil cell and He as pressure transmitting medium. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction showed the persistence of two previously unreported peaks related to the A7 structure in the pressure range of the simple-cubic phase. The Rietveld refinement of the data demonstrates the occurrence of a two-step mechanism for the A7 to simple-cubic phase transition, indicating the existence of an intermediate pseudo simple-cubic structure. From a chemical point of view this study represents a deep insight on the mechanism of interlayer bond formation during the transformation from the layered A7 to the non-layered simple-cubic phase of phosphorus, opening new perspectives for the design, synthesis and stabilization of phosphorene-based systems. As superconductivity is concerned, a new experimental evidence to explain the anomalous pressure behavior of Tc in phosphorus below 30 GPa is provided.

Synthesis and Antiproliferative Activity of [RuCp(PPh3)2(HdmoPTA)](OSO2CF3)2 (HdmoPTA = 3,7-H-3,7-Dimethyl-1,3,7-triaza-5-phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane).

The complex [RuCp(PPh3)2(HdmoPTA)](OSO2CF3)2 (2; HdmoPTA = 3,7-H-3,7-dimethyl-1,3,7-triaza-5-phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane) was synthesized and characterized. Its crystal structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The complex showed a more potent antiproliferative activity than cisplatin against a representative panel of human cancer cells.

First water-soluble backbone Ru-Ru-Ni heterometallic organometallic polymer.

The water-soluble backbone heterometallic polymer {[(PTA)2 CpRu-µ-CN-RuCp(PTA)2 -µ-NiCl3 ]}n (2) is synthesized using a reproducible and robust method and fully characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction. The Ru-Ru-Ni polymer is found to be stable in the solid state and soluble in water. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and light scattering studies show that the polymer is stable in water for several days in air.

A theragenerative bio-nanocomposite consisting of black phosphorus quantum dots for bone cancer therapy and regeneration.

Recently, the term theragenerative has been proposed for biomaterials capable of inducing therapeutic approaches followed by repairing/regenerating the tissue/organ. This study is focused on the design of a new theragenerative nanocomposite composed of an amphiphilic non-ionic surfactant (Pluronic F127), bioactive glass (BG), and black phosphorus (BP). The nanocomposite was prepared through a two-step synthetic strategy, including a microwave treatment that turned BP nanosheets (BPNS) into quantum dots (BPQDs) with 5 ± 2 nm dimensions in situ. The effects of surfactant and microwave treatment were assessed in vitro: the surfactant distributes the ions homogenously throughout the composite and the microwave treatment chemically stabilizes the composite. The presence of BP enhanced bioactivity and promoted calcium phosphate formation in simulated body fluid. The inherent anticancer activity of BP-containing nanocomposites was tested against osteosarcoma cells in vitro, finding that 150 µg mL-1 was the lowest concentration which prevented the proliferation of SAOS-2 cells, while the counterpart without BP did not affect the cell growth rate. Moreover, the apoptosis pathways were evaluated and a mechanism of action was proposed. NIR irradiation was applied to induce further proliferation suppression on SAOS-2 cells through hyperthermia. The inhibitory effects of bare BP nanomaterials and nanocomposites on the migration and invasion of bone cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer cells were assessed in vitro to determine the anticancer potential of nanomaterials against primary and secondary bone cancers. The regenerative behavior of the nanocomposites was tested with healthy osteoblasts and human mesenchymal stem cells; the BPQDs-incorporated nanocomposite significantly promoted the proliferation of osteoblast cells and induced the osteogenic differentiation of stem cells. This study introduces a new multifunctional theragenerative platform with promising potential for simultaneous bone cancer therapy and regeneration.

Anisotropic thermo-mechanical response of layered hexagonal boron nitride and black phosphorus: application as a simultaneous pressure and temperature sensor.

Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) and black phosphorus (bP) are crystalline materials that can be seen as ordered stackings of two-dimensional layers, which lead to outstanding anisotropic physical properties. Knowledge of the thermal equations of state of hBN and bP is of great interest in the field of 2D materials for a better understanding of their anisotropic thermo-mechanical properties and exfoliation mechanism towards the preparation of important single-layer materials like hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets and phosphorene. Despite several theoretical and experimental studies, important uncertainties remain in the determination of the thermoelastic parameters of hBN and bP. Here, we report accurate thermal expansion and compressibility measurements along the individual crystallographic axes, using in situ high-temperature and high-pressure high-resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction. In particular, we have quantitatively determined the subtle variations of the in-plane and volumetric thermal expansion coefficients and compressibility parameters by subjecting these materials to hydrostatic conditions and by collecting a large number of data points in small pressure and temperature increments. In addition, based on the anisotropic behavior of bP, we propose the use of this material as a sensor for the simultaneous determination of pressure and temperature in the range of 0-5 GPa and 298-1700 K, respectively.

Mechanical Transfer of Black Phosphorus on a Silk Fibroin Substrate: A Viable Method for Photoresponsive and Printable Biomaterials.

Despite the technological importance of semiconductor black phosphorus (BP) in materials science, maintaining the stability of BP crystals in organic media and protecting them from environmental oxidation remains challenging. In this study, we present the synthesis of bulk BP and the exploitation of the viscoelastic properties of a regenerated silk fibroin (SF) film as a biocompatible substrate to transfer BP flakes, thereby preventing oxidation. A model based on the flow of polymers revealed that the applied flow-induced stresses exceed the yield stress of the BP aggregate. Raman spectroscopy was used to investigate the exfoliation efficiency as well as the environmental stability of BP transferred on the SF substrate. Notably, BP flakes transferred to the SF substrate demonstrated improved stability when SF was dissolved in a phosphate-buffered saline medium, and in vitro cancer cell viability experiments demonstrate the tumor ablation efficiency under visible to near-infrared (Vis-nIR) radiation. Moreover, the SF and BP-enriched SF (SF/BP) solution was shown to be processable via extrusion-based three-dimensional (3D) printing. Therefore, this work paves the way for a general method for the transferring of BP on natural biodegradable polymers and processing them via 3D printing toward novel functionalities and complex shapes for biomedical purposes.

Unraveling the Role of Nickel Nanoparticles Functionalization in the Electronic Properties and Structural Features of 2D Black Phosphorene Exposed to Ambient Conditions.

Layered black phosphorus (BP) is endowed with peculiar chemico-physical properties that make it a highly promising candidate in the field of electronics. Nevertheless, as other 2D materials with atomic scale thickness, it suffers from easy degradation under ambient conditions. Herein, it is shown that the functionalization of BP with preformed and in situ grown Ni NPs, affects the electronic properties of the material. In particular, Ni functionalization performed in situ leads to a narrowing of the average BP band gap from 1.15 to 0.95 eV and to a marked shift in the conduction band maximum from -0.33 V to -0.07 V, which, in turn, improve the ambient stability. Structural studies carried out by XAS can well distinguish the two nanohybrids and reveal that once Ni NPs are grown on BP nanosheets, a Ni-P coordinative bond is formed, featuring a short Ni-P distance of 2.27 Å, which is not observed when preformed Ni NPs are immobilized on BP. Comparing the XANES and EXAFS spectra of fresh and aged samples of both nanohybrids, suggests that the interaction between Ni and P atoms results in a stabilization effect exerted via a dual electronic and redox mechanism, that infers a much superior ambient stability to BP, even if the surface functionalization is far to achieve a full coverage.

Label-Free Morpho-Molecular Imaging for Studying the Differential Interaction of Black Phosphorus with Tumor Cells.

Black phosphorus nanosheets (2D BP) are emerging as very promising, highly selective chemotherapeutic agents due to their fast degradation in the intracellular matrix of cancer cells. Here, optical diffraction tomography (ODT) and Raman spectroscopy were exploited as a powerful label-free approach to achieve integrated insights into the processes accompanying the administration of exfoliated 2D BP flakes in human prostatic adenocarcinoma and normal human prostate epithelial cells. Our ODT experiments provided unambiguous visualization of the 2D BP internalization in cancer cells and the morphological modifications of those cells in the apoptotic phase. The cellular internalization and damaging occurred, respectively, 18 h and 36-48 h after the 2D BP administration. Changes in the chemical properties of the internalized 2D BP flakes were monitored by Raman spectroscopy. Interestingly, a fast oxidation process of the 2D BP flakes was activated in the intracellular matrix of the cancer cells after 24 h of incubation. This was in sharp contrast to the low 2D BP uptake and minimal chemical changes observed in the normal cells. Along with the understanding of the 2D BP fate in the cancer cells, the proposed label-free morpho-molecular approach offers a powerful, rapid tool to study the pharmacokinetic properties of engineered nanomaterials in preclinical research.

Evidence of Josephson Coupling in a Few-Layer Black Phosphorus Planar Josephson Junction.

Setting up strong Josephson coupling in van der Waals materials in close proximity to superconductors offers several opportunities both to inspect fundamental physics and to develop cryogenic quantum technologies. Here we show evidence of Josephson coupling in a planar few-layer black phosphorus junction. The planar geometry allows us to probe the junction behavior by means of external gates, at different carrier concentrations. Clear signatures of Josephson coupling are demonstrated by measuring supercurrent flow through the junction at milli-Kelvin temperatures. Manifestation of a Fraunhofer pattern with a transverse magnetic field is also reported, confirming the Josephson coupling. These findings represent evidence of proximity Josephson coupling in a planar junction based on a van der Waals material beyond graphene and will expedite further studies, exploiting the peculiar properties of exfoliated black phosphorus thin flakes.

Black or red phosphorus yields the same blue phosphorus film.

After the discovery of graphene, many other 2D materials have been predicted theoretically and successfully prepared. In this context, single-sheet black phosphorus - phosphorene - is emerging as a viable contender in the field of (2D) semiconductors. Phosphorene offers high carrier mobility and an anisotropic structure that gives rise to a modulation of physical and chemical properties. This opens the way to many novel and fascinating applications related to field-effect transistors and optoelectronic devices. In previous studies, a single layer of blue phosphorene intermixed with Au atoms was grown using purified black phosphorus as a precursor. Starting from the observation that phosphorus vapor mainly consists of P clusters, in this work we aimed at obtaining blue phosphorus using much less expensive purified red phosphorus as an evaporant. By means of microscopy, spectroscopy and diffraction experiments, we show that black or red phosphorus deposition on Au(111) substrates yields the same blue phosphorus film.

Water-soluble Cp ruthenium complex containing 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane and 8-thiotheophylline derivatives: synthesis, characterization, and antiproliferative activity.

The new water-soluble ruthenium(II) mononuclear complexes [RuCp(X)(PTA)(L)] (X = 8-thio-theophyllinate (TTH(-)), L = PTA (1), L = PPh(3) (7)); (X = 8-methylthio-theophyllinate (8-MTT(-)), L = PTA (2), L = PPh(3) (8)), (X = 8-benzylthio-theophyllinate (8-BzTT(-)), L = PTA (3), L = PPh(3) (9)) and binuclear complexes [{RuCp(PTA)(L)}(2)-µ-(Y-κN7,N'7)] (Y = bis(S-8-thiotheophyllinate)methane (MBTT(2-)), L = PTA (4), L = PPh(3) (10)), (Y = 1,2-bis(S-8-thiotheophyllinate)ethane (EBTT(2-)), L = PTA (5), L = PPh(3) (11)), (Y = 1,3-bis(S-8-thiotheophyllinate)propane (PBTT(2-)); L = PTA (6), L = PPh(3) (12)) have been synthesized and characterized by NMR, IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The single crystal X-ray structure of [RuCp(8-MTT-κS)(PTA)(2)] (2) was also obtained. The antiproliferative activity of the complexes on cisplatin-sensitive T2 and cisplatin-resistant SKOV3 cell lines has been evaluated.

Easy and fast in situ functionalization of exfoliated 2D black phosphorus with gold nanoparticles.

Heterostructures of single- and few-layer black phosphorus (2D bP) functionalized with gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) have been recently reported in the literature, exploiting their intriguing properties and biocompatibility for catalytic, therapeutical and diagnostic applications. However, a deeper insight on the structural and electronic properties at the interface of the 2D bP/Au NP heterostructure is still lacking. In this work, 2D bP is functionalized with Au nanoparticles (NPs) through in situ deposition-precipitation heterogeneous reaction. The smallest realized Au NPs have a diameter around 10 nm as revealed by atomic-force and scanning electron microscopy, and are partially positively charged as revealed by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). XPS, UV-vis and Raman spectroscopy, supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, confirmed that while the structural and electronic properties of 2D bP are overall preserved, a soft-pairing between P atoms at the surface of 2D bP and Au atoms at the surface of Au NPs occurs, leading to a partial charge transfer at the 2D bP/Au interface, with a positive charge being localized on the Au atoms directly bonded to 2D bP. DFT calculations also predicted a band gap lowering, by 0.8 eV, for phosphorene functionalized with a tetranuclear Au cluster. Larger effects are expected as the Au cluster nuclearity (and coverage) increases.