Fabrication and applications of 2D black phosphorus in catalyst, sensing and electrochemical energy storage.

Black phosphorus (BP) was firstly and successfully synthesized in 1914. But it has given a new life after many years until the rediscovery of two-dimensional (2D) BP in 2014, which inspires the craze for studying BP once again. This review begins with the preparation of BP, which is divided into two parts: the preparation of bulk BP and 2D BP. This review highlights its catalytic potential on Oxygen Evolution Reaction no matter the morphology such as bulk BP, 2D BP and atomic doping, compared to that of the precious metals with high price. In addition, BP has excellent performance in sensors due to its special direct band gap and excellent electron mobility. BP owns specific high capacity making it stand out as a bright star as the electrode materials applied in Lithium battery. More importantly, the application restriction of BP is delicately analyzed and some suggestions are put forward. Finally, the outlook including future and development trends and application prospects lying in the road ahead of BP research are simultaneously discussed. • Black phosphorus owns merits of high charge-carrier mobility, tunable direct-bandgap and unique anisotropic structure. • Series of bulk and two-dimensional black phosphorus preparation methods and its potential applications have been introduced. • The doping of atoms and increase of surface to volume ratios have a dramatic change in properties of black phosphorus. • The article points out the research based on practical application requirements and introduce some constructive opinions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]