In-situ formation of Ni2P on black phosphorus surface for efficient NIR photocatalytic singlet oxygen generation

Black phosphorus (BP) shows great potential applications in photoelectric conversion and photocatalysis , but its applications are limited by its disadvantages such as poor ambient stability and rapid carrier recombination under photoirradiation. In this work, it was surprisingly found that the in-situ generation of Ni 2 P onto the surface of BP leaded to a significant improvement in both ambient stability and photocatalytic singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ) generation under NIR irradiation. Because of the transfer of electrons from Ni to BP via Ni-P bonds, the Ni 2 P/BP showed better charge separation efficiency and ambient stability in NIR photoelectric conversion. Moreover, the Ni 2 P/BP was able to generate 1 O 2 for NIR photocatalysis through Russell Mechanism. Meanwhile, norfloxacin and E. coli could also be removed by Ni 2 P/BP under NIR irradiation, which further shows the ability to generate 1 O 2 for practical utilization. This work provides a novel insight into the passivation of BP by hetero-atoms doping and a new strategy for green NIR photocatalytic water remediation.