In this work we study the noncovalent functionalization of black phosphorus (BP) with tailor made perylene diimides (PDI). By combining both experimental and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we have designed and fully characterized the organic-inorganic BP-PDI hybrids. The resulting materials depict a denser packing of the PDI molecules on the BP surface, giving rise to an outstanding environmental protection of the BP thanks to the role of the PDI as a passivation layer. This phenomenon leads to an enhancement of both ambient and thermal stabilities in the light of XPS, Raman spectroscopy and TG-MS analysis. Finally, we have studied for the first time field effect transistors (FETs) based on these hybrid materials, leading to an improvement in the electron mobilities thanks to the protecting role of the PDI. In summary, this work points towards the noncovalent functionalization with PDI molecules as a promising approach in the development of stable electronic devices based on 2D-pnictogens. You can find the article here
