Search Results (99)

Two-dimensional black phosphorus (2D BP) has emerged as one of the most promising two-dimensional semiconductors for next-generation micro and nanoelectronics beyond Moore’s Law. It is distinguished by its unique combination of a layer dependent direct bandgap, broadband photoresponse, and pronounced in-plane anisotropy, addressing key intrinsic limitations that have hindered the widespread application of graphene and conventional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs). This review provides a systematic and comprehensive overview of recent advances in the controllable fabrication of 2D BP and its applications in transistors and photodetectors. We first elucidate its crystal lattice structure and fundamental physical properties, then categorize and summarize synthesis strategies based on production scale ranging from small scale methods (e.g., mechanical exfoliation and solution based exfoliation) to large scale methods (e.g., Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) and Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD)), with a particular focus on recent advances in high-speed field-effect transistors and broadband photodetectors. In summary, the key to achieving large-scale controllable synthesis lies in addressing the challenges of high-temperature oxidation of black phosphorus and the uncontrollable diffusion of phosphorus sources. In the future, industrial applications are expected to be realized through CVD based regulation of phosphorus sources, low-temperature growth by PLD, and deep integration with silicon-based processes. Full article

The field of infrared (IR) photodetection is undergoing rapid development through the emergence of solution-processable nanoparticle (NP)-based materials and fabrication strategies. This review critically examines recent advances in fabrication approaches for NP-based IR detectors, emphasizing the relationship between synthesis, surface engineering, deposition processes, and device architecture in determining detector performance. Representative material platforms are discussed, including colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) such as PbS and HgTe, which enable tunable operation from the near-infrared (NIR) and short-wave infrared (SWIR) to selected mid-wave (MWIR), long-wave (LWIR), and emerging very-long-wave infrared (VLWIR) regimes depending on material composition and operating conditions. Further platforms including plasmonic metal NPs, black phosphorus, and topological nanomaterials are evaluated for their unique mechanisms of optical enhancement and broadband response. Fabrication approaches including continuous-flow synthesis, ligand exchange, blade coating, inkjet printing, electrophoretic deposition, and other scalable solution-processing methods are analyzed with respect to their influence on film quality, charge transport, interface engineering, and integration compatibility. The review further compares major device architectures, including photoconductors, photodiodes, plasmonic absorbers, and phototransistors, using key performance metrics such as specific detectivity (D*), responsivity (R), response speed, and operating temperature, while emphasizing the importance of measurement conditions in cross-platform comparisons. Critical challenges including dark-current generation, 1/f noise, transport limitations associated with ligand chemistry, environmental instability of narrow-bandgap materials, manufacturability constraints, and toxicity considerations are also discussed. Emerging directions such as neuromorphic sensing, CMOS-compatible integration, and sustainable lead-free nanomaterials are highlighted. By linking nanoscale material design and fabrication processes to device-level performance, this review provides a framework for advancing NP-based IR technologies toward scalable and application-relevant sensing systems. Full article

A two-year field experiment was conducted to clarify the regulatory effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) combined with drip fertigation on the yield, yield components, and grain quality of winter wheat in lime concretion black soil (Calcaric Cambisols). The objective was to screen a sustainable fertilization model for coordinating high yield and quality in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain. An L₁₆(4³) orthogonal design was adopted to investigate yield, protein content, wet gluten, test weight (TW), and grain hardness. Range analysis and ANOVA were used to evaluate factor effects and interactions. The results showed that N was the dominant factor affecting yield and quality (Rank 1), followed by K (Rank 2), while P showed the weakest effect. Compared to the control (N0P0K0), the optimized N–P–K combination increased grain yield by an average of 315.0% and enhanced grain crude protein by 55.3% over the two seasons. The optimal combination for maximum yield was N170P30K120 (kg/ha), which optimized the source–sink relationship by balancing spike density and 1000-grain weight. High N (220 kg/ha) combined with low P and high K achieved the best nutritional quality. The 3D response surface analysis confirmed significant synergistic interactions between N–K and N–P in promoting grain filling and protein synthesis. Rational NPK drip fertigation, particularly when synchronized with critical growth stages (jointing and grain filling), can simultaneously enhance grain yield and quality in this soil type. The optimized combination provides theoretical support and a robust fertilization strategy for green and efficient wheat production in the region. Full article

Satellite remote sensing offers a cost-effective solution for the continuous monitoring of black and odorous water bodies (BOWs). However, limitations in spatial and spectral resolution hinder the quantitative inversion of water quality parameters and the precise assessment of risk levels using satellite data alone. To address this challenge, this study proposes a synergistic approach combining satellite and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) remote sensing to rapidly identify potentially polluted water bodies and quantitatively assess their risk levels. First, a Black and Odorous Water Index (MBOWI) was constructed based on reflectance characteristics in the visible to near-infrared bands to screen for potential black and odorous water bodies using satellite imagery. Subsequently, high-resolution multispectral UAV imagery, integrated with in situ sampling data, was employed to develop machine learning models for inverting key water quality parameters, including Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Total Phosphorus (TP) and Ammonia Nitrogen (NH₃-N). Comparative analysis of Polynomial Regression (PR), Random Forest (RF), and Simulated Annealing-optimized Support Vector Regression (SA-SVR) revealed that RF and SA-SVR exhibited superior performance in inverting four non-optically active water quality parameters due to their robust nonlinear fitting capabilities, with the mean Adjusted Coefficient of Determination ($R_{adj}^2$) ranging from 0.57 to 0.69. Water quality classification based on the single-factor worst-case method achieved an overall accuracy of 0.70 across validation samples. Notably, for Class V (heavily polluted) water bodies, both classification accuracy and recall rate reached 0.89, demonstrating the model’s high precision in identifying high-risk waters. Finally, the proposed framework was applied to northern Zhejiang Province to assess seven potential black and odorous water bodies, successfully identifying four as high-risk and one as low-risk. This study validates satellite and UAV synergistic remote sensing for the hierarchical risk management of black and odorous water bodies. Full article

The Sanjiang Plain is a key black soil agricultural zone in Northeast China. The conversion of dry-lands (DL) to paddy fields (PF) alters soil aggregate phosphorus (P) fractions and microbial diversity, yet the underlying mechanisms are unclear. This study compared DL and PF (converted from DL) soils. The results showed that electrical conductivity (EC) and soil organic carbon (SOC) increased significantly after the dryland-to-paddy conversion (p < 0.05). The proportions of macroaggregates and microaggregates increased, while the silt+clay fraction declined (p < 0.05), indicating enhanced aggregate stability. Soil total P increased by 16.04%, of which 83.81%, was attributed to macroaggregate-associated P. The dominant P fractions shifted from NaOH-Po to NaOH-Pi and HCl-Pi. The land-use change also markedly altered the soil microbial community structure, leading to increased abundances of Bradyrhizobium and Pseudomonas and decreased abundances of Streptomyces and Mesorhizobium, collectively driving the transformation of P fractions. The key functional genes identified were gcd, phoD, and phnA. However, this study did not capture the temporal dynamics of P forms and microbial community structure across different stages of land-use conversion. Future research should track these dynamics throughout the conversion process to clarify the mechanisms of P evolution. Full article

Rock art in the Albarracín Cultural Park represents one of Spain’s most significant concentrations of post-Paleolithic paintings, yet comprehensive chemical characterization across multiple shelters remained lacking. This study analyzes 102 pigment samples (54 white, 31 black, 17 red) from 12 shelters using portable X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. Centered log-ratio transformation addressed compositional data constraints, enabling multivariate analyses (PCA, LDA, MANOVA) that properly account for the constant-sum constraint inherent in geochemical data. Linear discriminant analysis achieved 92.6%–100% classification accuracy for site attribution, with barium emerging as the universal discriminating element across all pigment types (Cohen’s d = 4.91–9.19). Iron concentrations confirmed hematite/goethite use in red pigments, with inter-shelter variations suggesting different ochre sources. Black pigments revealed dual technologies: manganese oxides (pyrolusite) and carbon-based materials, with phosphorus enrichment in some samples consistent with possible bone-derived materials, though alternative phosphorus sources cannot be definitively excluded. This technological duality occurred within individual shelters, documenting greater complexity than previously recognized. White pigments combined substrate-derived materials with gypsum and aluminosilicate clay minerals (likely of the kaolinite group), occasionally incorporating phosphate-rich phases. The documented coexistence of compositionally distinct pigments within single shelters (whether from different raw material sources or varied preparation techniques) confirms the technical heterogeneity of Albarracín rock art and challenges assumptions about technological homogeneity in Levantine art production. This interplay between natural geological constraints and cultural technological choices underscores the need for complementary surface-sensitive techniques to fully resolve the technological repertoire of Levantine artists. Full article

Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have attracted growing attention in the field of oral medicine due to their unique physicochemical properties, including high surface area, adjustable surface chemistry, and exceptional biocompatibility. In recent years, a variety of 2D materials, including graphene-based nanomaterials, black phosphorus nanosheets, MXenes, layered double hydroxides (LDHs), transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), 2D metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), and polymer-based nanosheets, have been extensively explored for the treatment of oral diseases. These functional materials demonstrate multiple therapeutic capabilities, such as antibacterial activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging, anti-inflammatory modulation, and promotion of tissue regeneration. In this review, we systematically summarize the recent advances of 2D nanomaterials in the treatment of common oral diseases such as dental caries, periodontitis, oral cancer and peri-implantitis. The underlying therapeutic mechanisms are also summarized. Challenges for clinical translation of these nanomaterials and the possible solutions are discussed as well. Full article

Fenton oxidation technology utilizing hydrogen peroxide is recognized as an effective method for producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) to facilitate the degradation of antibiotics. However, the requirement for strongly acidic conditions during this process significantly restricts its broader applicability. In this study, we synthesized black phosphorus (BP) nanosheets by exposing the {010} crystal planes and then constructed a 0D/2D BP/Bi₂MoO₆ (PBMO) heterojunction to function as a Fenton catalyst. The PBMO-75 heterojunction exhibited a remarkable increase in photo-Fenton catalytic activity towards oxytetracycline (OTC) under neutral conditions, achieving catalytic efficiencies that were 20 and 8 times greater than those of BP and Bi₂MoO₆ (BMO), respectively. This can be attributed to its strong absorption of visible light, the establishment of an internal electric field (IEF) at the interface, and the implementation of a Z-scheme catalytic mechanism. Additionally, the photo-Fenton system was further improved in OTC degradation through the continuous conversion of Mo⁶⁺/Mo⁵⁺ under visible light irradiation in conjunction with H₂O₂. Based on ERS, XPS, and active species trapping experiments, we propose a Z-scheme charge transfer mechanism for PBMO. This research offers compelling evidence that 0D/2D Z-scheme heterojunctions are promising candidates for the photo-Fenton treatment of antibiotic contaminants. Full article

Salinity is a major abiotic stress limiting black gram (Vigna mungo) productivity, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Saline soils negatively impact plant growth, nodulation, nitrogen fixation, and yield. This study evaluated the efficacy of co-inoculating salt-tolerant plant growth-promoting bacteria Paenibacillus sp. SPR11 and Bradyrhizobium yuanmingense PR3 on black gram performance under saline field conditions (EC: 8.87 dS m⁻¹; pH: 8.37) with low organic carbon (0.6%) and nutrient deficiencies. In vitro assays demonstrated the biocontrol potential of SPR11, inhibiting Fusarium oxysporum and Macrophomina phaseolina by 76% and 62%, respectively. Germination assays and net house experiments under 300 mM NaCl stress showed that co-inoculation significantly improved physiological traits, including germination rate, root length (61.39%), shoot biomass (59.95%), and nitrogen fixation (52.4%) in nitrogen-free media. Field trials further revealed enhanced stress tolerance markers: chlorophyll content increased by 54.74%, proline by 50.89%, and antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, PAL) were significantly upregulated. Electrolyte leakage was reduced by 55.77%, indicating improved membrane stability. Agronomic performance also improved, with co-inoculated plants showing increased root length (7.19%), grain yield (15.55 q ha⁻¹; 77.04% over control), total biomass (26.73 q ha⁻¹; 57.06%), and straw yield (8.18 q ha⁻¹). Pod number, seed count, and seed weight were also enhanced. Nutrient analysis showed elevated uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and key micronutrients (Zn, Fe) in both grain and straw. To the best of our knowledge, this is the very first field-based report demonstrating the synergistic benefits of co-inoculating Paenibacillus sp. SPR11 and Bradyrhizobium yuanmingense PR3 in black gram under saline, nutrient-poor conditions without external nitrogen inputs. The results highlight a sustainable strategy to enhance legume productivity and resilience in salt-affected soils. Full article

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) symbiosis has great potential in improving grapevine performance and reducing external input dependency in viticulture. However, the precise, strain-specific impacts of different AMF species on ‘Summer Black’ grapevine cuttings across multiple physiological and morphological dimensions remain underexplored. To address this, we conducted a controlled greenhouse pot experiment, systematically evaluating four different AMF species (Diversispora versiformis, Diversispora spurca, Funneliformis mosseae, and Paraglomus occultum) on ‘Summer Black’ grapevine cuttings. All AMF treatments successfully established root colonization, with F. mosseae achieving the highest infection rate. In detail, F. mosseae notably enhanced total root length, root surface area, and volume, while D. versiformis specifically improved primary adventitious and 2nd-order lateral root numbers. Phosphorus (P) uptake in both leaves and roots was significantly elevated across all AMF treatments, with F. mosseae leading to a 42% increase in leaf P content. Furthermore, AMF inoculation generally enhanced the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase, along with soluble protein and soluble sugar contents in leaves and roots. Photosynthetic parameters, including net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), and transpiration rate (Tr), were dramatically increased in AMF-colonized cutting seedlings. Whereas, P. occultum exhibited inhibitory effects on several growth metrics, such as shoot length, leaf and root biomass, and adventitious lateral root numbers, and decreased the contents of Nitrogen (N), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and iron (Fe) in both leaves and roots. These findings conclusively demonstrate that AMF symbiosis optimizes root morphology, enhances nutrient acquisition, and boosts photosynthetic efficiency and stress resilience, thus providing valuable insights for developing targeted bio-fertilization strategies in sustainable viticulture. Full article

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have revolutionized the field of optoelectronics by offering exceptional properties such as atomically thin structures, high carrier mobility, tunable bandgaps, and strong light–matter interactions. These attributes make them ideal candidates for next-generation photodetectors operating across a broad spectral range—from ultraviolet to mid-infrared. This review comprehensively examines the recent progress in 2D material-based photodetectors, highlighting key material classes including graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), black phosphorus (BP), MXenes, chalcogenides, and carbides. We explore their photodetection mechanisms—such as photovoltaic, photoconductive, photothermoelectric, bolometric, and plasmon-enhanced effects—and discuss their impact on critical performance metrics like responsivity, detectivity, and response time. Emphasis is placed on material integration strategies, heterostructure engineering, and plasmonic enhancements that have enabled improved sensitivity and spectral tunability. The review also addresses the remaining challenges related to environmental stability, scalability, and device architecture. Finally, we outline future directions for the development of high-performance, broadband, and flexible 2D photodetectors for diverse applications in sensing, imaging, and communication technologies. Full article

Utilizing the nonlinear effects of black phosphorus (BP), the self-starting threshold and noise performance were optimized in a figure-9 mode-locked fiber laser configuration. Experimental results demonstrate that a mode-locked pulse output with a spectral bandwidth of 8.2 nm, center wavelength of 1033.5 nm, and repetition rate of 42 MHz is obtained. Compared with single-mechanism mode-locked lasers, the self-starting mode-locked threshold is reduced by 100 mW. Regarding noise characteristics, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is enhanced to 68.4 dB and the phase noise is reduced to −115.6 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz to 10 MHz frequency offsets. The root mean square (RMS) of the output power is optimized to 0.9% and phase noise jitter is reduced to 1.9%. This work proves a novel approach to tackle the challenges of high self-starting thresholds and instability in mode-locked lasers. Full article

Black phosphorus is a promising thermoelectric (TE) material because of its high Seebeck coefficient and high electrical conductivity. In this work, the TE performance of bulk black phosphorus and single-layer phosphorene under uniaxial strain is studied using first-principles calculations and Boltzmann transport theory. The results show relatively excellent TE performance along the armchair direction for both black phosphorus and phosphorene in our study. However, high lattice thermal conductivity is the key adverse factor for further enhancing the TE performance of phosphorus. The ZT value can only reach up to 0.97 and 0.73 for n- and p-type black phosphorus at 700 K, respectively. Owing to quantum size effects, black phosphorene has lower lattice thermal conductivity than black phosphorus. At the same time, two-dimensional (2D) phosphorene exhibits increased electronic energy compared with bulk black phosphorus, resulting in a larger bandgap and reduced electrical conductivity due to the quantum confinement effect. Thus, the TE performance of n-type phosphorene can be partially improved, and the ZT value reaches up to 1.41 at 700 K. However, the ZT value decreases from 0.73 to 0.70 for p-type phosphorene compared with bulk phosphorus at 700 K. To further improve the TE performance of phosphorene, a tensile strain is applied along the armchair direction. Subsequent work indicates that uniaxial strain can further optimize phosphorene’s TE properties by tuning hole relaxation time to improve electrical conductivity. Strikingly, the ZT values exceed 1.7 for both n- and p-type phosphorene under 4.5% tensile strain along the armchair direction at 700 K because of increased electrical conductivity and decreased lattice thermal conductivity. Full article

In this paper, we propose an innovative approach based on the wavelength optimization of a light source for a simple, high-performance surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor utilizing comprehensive reflectance analysis in the angular domain. The proposed structure consists of a glass substrate, an adhesion layer of titanium dioxide, a silver plasmonic layer, and a 2D material. Analysis is performed in the Kretschmann configuration for liquid analyte sensing. Sensing parameters such as the refractive index (RI) sensitivity, the reflectance minimum, and the figure of merit (FOM) are investigated in the first step of this study as a function of the thickness of the silver layer together with the RI of a coupling prism. Next, utilizing the results offering a fused silica prism, the thickness of the silver layer and the wavelength of the light source are optimized for the structure with the addition of a 2D material, black phosphorus (BP), which is studied along different principal directions, the zigzag and armchair directions. In addition, a new approach of adjusting the source wavelength using a one-dimensional photonic crystal combined with an LED, is presented. Based on this analysis, for the reference structure at a wavelength of 632.8 nm, the optimized silver layer thickness is 50 nm, and the achieved RI sensitivity ranges from 193.9 to 251.5 degrees per RI unit (deg/RIU), with the highest FOM reaching 52.3 RIU⁻¹. In addition, for the modified structure with BP, the achieved RI sensitivity varies in the range of 269.1–351.2 deg/RIU at the optimized wavelength of 628 nm, with the highest FOM reaching 44.7 RIU⁻¹ for the zigzag direction. Due to the optimization and adjusting the wavelength of the source, the results obtained for the proposed SPR structure could have significant implications for the development of more sensitive and efficient sensors employing a simple plasmonic structure. Full article

In this study, we demonstrate that the Sn₂Se₂P₄ monolayer exhibits intrinsic anisotropic electronic characteristics with the strain-synergistic modulation of carrier transport and optoelectronic properties, as revealed by various levels of density functional theory calculations combined with the non-equilibrium Green’s function method. The calculations reveal that a-axis uniaxial compression of the Sn₂Se₂P₄ monolayer induces an indirect-to-direct bandgap transition (from 1.73 eV to 0.97 eV, as calculated by HSE06), reduces the hole effective mass by ≥70%, and amplifies current density by 684%. Conversely, a-axis uniaxial expansion (+8%) boosts ballistic transport (a/b-axis current ratio > 10⁵), rivaling black phosphorus. Notably, a striking negative differential conductance arises with the maximum I_peak/I_valley in the order of 10⁵ under the 2% uniaxial compression along the b-axis of the Sn₂Se₂P₄ monolayer. Visible-range anisotropic absorption coefficients (~10⁵ cm⁻¹) are achieved, where −4% a-axis strain elevates the photocurrent density (6.27 μA mm⁻² at 2.45 eV) and external quantum efficiency (39.2%) beyond many 2D materials benchmarks. Non-monotonic strain-dependent photocurrent density peaks at 2.00 eV correlate with hole effective mass reduction patterns, confirming the carrier mobility of the Sn₂Se₂P₄ monolayer as the governing parameter for photogenerated charge separation. These results establish Sn₂Se₂P₄ as a multifunctional material enabling strain-tailored anisotropy for logic transistors, negative differential resistors, and photovoltaic devices, while guiding future investigations on environmental stabilization and heterostructure integration toward practical applications. Full article