Phosphorenelike

Phosphorenelike refers to materials whose structure and properties resemble phosphorene, the single- to few-layer form of black phosphorus. This term is used for two-dimensional, puckered, honeycomb-like lattices based on phosphorus or phosphorus-containing systems that preserve anisotropic in-plane properties, such as transport and mechanical response, and whose electronic structure is tunable with thickness or composition.

Common features include a puckered orthorhombic lattice, strong in-plane anisotropy in charge transport and optical absorption, and a thickness-dependent band gap that widens from near zero in bulk to around 1–2 eV in the monolayer limit. The materials often show high hole mobility along one crystallographic direction.

Phosphorenelike materials include few-layer phosphorene and related phosphorus allotropes or derivatives engineered to retain the puckered motif, as well as certain phosphorus-containing heterostructures or compounds designed to mimic its electronic anisotropy. They are typically 2D or quasi-2D and can be stabilized by encapsulation or chemical functionalization.

Synthesis and handling present challenges: bulk black phosphorus exfoliation yields phosphorene that degrades in air; scalable synthesis of large-area phosphorenelike layers is an active area of research, with approaches such as chemical vapor deposition, bottom-up synthesis, and surface passivation. Stability, uniformity, and interface control remain critical for device integration.

Applications under exploration include field-effect transistors, photodetectors, flexible electronics, energy storage, and catalysis, where anisotropic transport and tunable band gaps are advantageous. Ongoing work seeks to broaden the material family, improve stability, and realize scalable production.