Linker-free Functionalization of Phosphorene Nanosheets by Sialic Acid Biomolecules.

The importance of sialic acid on cell functions has been recently unveiled, and consequently, great attention has been paid to its interaction with tumor cells. In this line of research, we have realized phosphorene nanosheets functionalized with sialic acid molecules for biological applications with no need for another linker molecule. The formation of phosphorene sheets is feasible by using hydrogen plasma treatment and conversion of amorphous phosphorus on silicon substrates into highly crystalline nanosheets.