Rhombohedral (gray) arsenic represents a promising layered material for the fabrication of electronic devices and sensors; however, synthetic protocols for tuning its properties or protecting the surface by covalent functionalization are not known. In this communication, we present its covalent functionalization accompanied by exfoliation of rhombohedral arsenic in the presence of chromium hexacarbonyl and UV irradiation. Under such conditions, arsenic atoms act as ligands to the chromium metal center. We believe that this approach will open the doors for next modifications of rhombohedral few-layer arsenic and enable its application in variable fields including electronic devices, sensors, and energy devices.
- Jiri Sturala
- Zdenek Sofer
- Martin Pumera
