Phosphoren

Phosphoren is a proposed two-dimensional phosphorus-based material. In its usage, the term refers to single- or few-layer sheets of elemental phosphorus with a puckered lattice structure similar to phosphorene, a well-known 2D allotrope derived from black phosphorus. The name is encountered in some speculative or early-stage literature and is not universally standardized; it may also be used loosely to describe phosphorus-rich nanostructures or derivatives.

Structure and properties: Like phosphorene, phosphoren would be anisotropic, with different in-plane properties along two lattice directions. The electronic structure is predicted to be tunable by layer thickness, strain, and chemical functionalization, potentially yielding semiconducting behavior with a band gap that increases as thickness decreases. The material could exhibit high carrier mobility and a large surface area.

Synthesis and stability: Phosphoren would be typically prepared by exfoliating black phosphorus or its derivatives, or by bottom-up synthesis from phosphorus-containing precursors. A major challenge is stability in air; phosphorene-like materials readily oxidize, leading to degradation. Encapsulation, surface passivation, or inert processing environments are commonly discussed mitigation strategies.

Applications and outlook: Potential applications include nanoelectronics, optoelectronics, energy storage and sensing. Realization depends on achieving scalable synthesis, environmental stability, and controlled integration with substrates and contacts. The term remains less established than phosphorene, and researchers may use it variably across studies.

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