Phosphorus is a multivalent nonmetal element (atomic number 15) that plays a central role in chemistry, biochemistry, and environmental science as a core component of phosphate (PO₄³⁻) groups. In molecular systems, it forms P–O, P–N, and P–C bonds and underlies the structure and energetics of nucleotides, nucleic acids, and phosphorylated metabolites via high-energy phosphoanhydride and phosphoester linkages. In materials and catalysis research, phosphorus appears in organophosphorus compounds, phosphines, and metal phosphides, influencing electronic structure, coordination behavior, and reactivity. In geochemistry and ecology, phosphorus cycling governs primary productivity and nutrient limitation in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Researchers at UCL have created one-atom-thick ribbons made of phosphorus alloyed with arsenic that could dramatically improve the efficiency of devices such as batteries, supercapacitors and solar cells.
Nanomaterials
Sep 21, 2023
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Energy efficient LEDs (light emitting diodes) have begun to replace many types of lighting both indoor and outdoor. A key reason for the rise of LEDs has been materials research that greatly improved the quality and intensity ...
Nanophysics
Apr 27, 2023
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PNRs are ribbon-like strands of the 2D material phosphorous, which, like graphene, are made of single-atom-thick layers of atoms. They were first created in 2019 by a team led by Professor Chris Howard of UCL following over ...
Nanomaterials
Nov 17, 2022
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When electrons are confined into very small spaces, they can exhibit unusual electrical, optical and magnetic behavior. From confining electrons in two-dimensional atomic sheet graphene—a feat that won the Nobel Prize in ...
Nanomaterials
Aug 12, 2021
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