Phosphorene: A novel nanomaterial revolutionizing biomedicine

Abstract

Phosphorene (BP), a two-dimensional (2D) material composed of monolayer or few-layers of black phosphorous (bBP), has recently emerged as a promising candidate for biomedical applications due to its unique electronic, optical, and mechanical properties. This review presents an overview of the theoretical and experimental investigations on the use of BP in various biomedical applications including drug delivery, biosensing, bioimaging, tissue engineering, and its incorporation into various treatment modalities. BP is an excellent candidate for drug delivery applications due to its tunable bandgap, large surface area, and puckered structure. In addition, due to the intrinsic photoacoustic and fluorescence properties of BP, it is regarded highly for biosensing and bioimaging applications. Researchers have taken advantage of its bioimaging capabilities to develop novel synergistic and theranostic treatment modalities, achieving excellent results. Furthermore, the mechanical and chemical properties of BP make it suitable for tissue engineering applications, particularly in the regeneration of bone tissue. The review also discusses concerns regarding the application of BP in biomedicine, including potential toxicity.