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Wonderful black phosphorus (BP) and some BP analogs (BPAs) have been increasingly studied for their biomedical applications owing to their fascinating properties and biodegradability, but opportunities and challenges have always coexisted in their study. Poor stability upon exposure to the natural environment is the major obstacle hampering their in vivo applications. BP/polymer and BPAs/polymer nanocomposites can not only efficiently prevent their oxidation and aggregation but also exhibit "biological activity" due to synergistic effects. In this review, we briefly describe the synthesis methods and stability strategies of BP/polymer and BPAs/polymer. Then, advances pertaining to their exciting therapeutic applications in various fields are systematically introduced, such as cancer therapy (phototherapy, drug delivery, and synergistic immunotherapy), bone regeneration, and neurogenesis. Some challenges for future clinical trials and possible directions for further study are finally discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exfoliation of phosphorene from black phosphorus to afford mono-elemental two-dimensional (2D) materials (Xenes) has caused a boom in various fields since 2014. Among the Xenes, an emerging class of material, 2D pnictogens, which includes phosphorene, arsenene, antimonene, and bismuthene, has drawn a great deal of attention in the field of catalysis owing to their high specific surface area, mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and optical and electrical performance. With the development of interdisciplinary research, it has become a new trend of scientific research, especially the application of catalysis in medicine, to break the barriers between disciplines and achieve multidisciplinary joint investigation. Herein, firstly, the structures, general properties, and synthetic methods of 2D pnictogen (group VA) materials are reviewed. Then, we summarize the various state-of-the-art catalytic applications of the 2D pnictogen family, such as photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and medical catalysis, especially in terms of strategies to improve their catalytic performance, such as doping, functionalization, and heterostructures. We also shed some light on the cross-subject of photocatalytic and electrocatalytic processes for biomedical applications. Finally, we summarize the research progress, outlooks, and challenges for these 2D catalysts in terms of their catalytic performance, characterization, reaction mechanisms, exploration of new systems, and commercial applications. This review aims to highlight the catalytic effects of 2D pnictogen materials in enhancing the performance of reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional (2D) inorganic nanomaterials for biomedical applications still face the challenge of simultaneously offering a high photothermal conversion efficiency (PTCE), efficient drug delivery, biocompatibility and biodegradability. Herein, cancer treatment using tin sulfide nanosheet (SnS NS)-based dual therapy nano-platforms (SDTNPs), including photothermal- and chemo-therapy, is demonstrated. SnS, a black phosphorus (BP) analogue binary IV–VI compound, was synthesized using liquid phase exfoliation. SnS NSs comprising 2–4 layers exhibited good biocompatibility and a high PTCE of 39.3%, which is higher than other popular 2D materials. The SnS NSs showed a stable photothermal performance over 2 h of laser irradiation and exhibited ∼14% degradation after 10 h of irradiation. It was also found that SnS NSs show high loading of small molecules such as doxorubicin (DOX) (up to ∼200% in weight). Consequently, the SDTNPs achieved notable tumor therapy through the combination of photothermal- and chemo-therapy both in vitro and in vivo. Our study may pave the way for the biomedical application of SnS and other IV–VI compound-based 2D nanomaterials. Compared with traditional therapies, SnS NS-based laser therapy is green and efficient, due to its biocompatibility, photo-degradability, high efficiency photothermal properties and high drug loading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]