Hybrid 2D Black Phosphorus/Polymer Materials: New Platforms for Device Fabrication

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel approach using hybrid 2D black phosphorus/polymer nanocomposites as versatile platforms for device fabrication, enhancing stability and processability of black phosphorus for electronic applications.

Contribution

It presents a new perspective on engineering hybrid nanocomposites to improve the stability and device integration of black phosphorus, a highly reactive 2D material.

Findings

Black phosphorus nanocomposites exhibit increased stability against oxidation.

The embedded black phosphorus can be processed into devices without property degradation.

The approach enables new applications for black phosphorus in electronics.

Abstract

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 potentiality of the new method, we applied this approach to prepare black phosphorus nanocomposites through its dispersion in poly (methyl methacrylate). Black phosphorus is a very interesting 2D material, whose application have so far been limited by its very high reactivity to oxygen and water. In this respect, we show that electronic-grade black phosphorus flakes, already embedded in a protecting matrix since their exfoliation from the bulk material, are endowed with significant increased stability, and can be further processed into devices without degrading their properties.