Phosphide Information Center

(click on an element to view our products)

Phosphide Ion

A phosphide is an ion, and phosphides of almost every metal in the periodic table are known. They exhibit a wide variety of chemical and physical properties. Although there are a number of ways to prepare phosphides, the most general method is to heat stoichiometric amounts of the metal and red phosphorus to high temperature in an inert atmosphere or a vacuum. Alkali and alkaline earth metals transition-metal phosphides are inert metallic-looking solids with high melting points and electrical conductivities.

Metal phosphides have been used as rodenticides, primarily calcium phosphide, zinc phosphide, and aluminum phosphide. Zinc phosphide baits have strong, pungent garlic-like odor characteristic for phosphine liberated by hydrolysis. The odor attracts rodents, but has a repulsive effect on other animals which are not sensitive to the smell. Aluminium phosphide is also wide band gap semiconductor. Calcium phosphide has uses in incendiary bombs. On contact with acids or water, calcium phosphide releases phosphine, which ignites spontaneously. Calcium phosphide is also used in fireworks, torpedoes, self-igniting naval pyrotechnic flares, and various water-activated ammunition.

Copper phosphide does not react with water. When subjected to ultraviolet light, copper phosphide shows fluorescence.

Titanium phosphide is normally encountered as a grey powder , it is high melting and a metallic conductor. It is not attacked by common acids or water.

Boron phosphide is a semiconductor. Iron phosphide is Insoluble in water and is a semiconductor used in high power, high frequency applications and in laser diodes. Gallium phosphide is used in the manufacture of low-cost red, orange, and green light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with low to medium brightness since the 1960s. It has a relatively short life at higher current and its lifetime is sensitive to temperature. Pure gallium phosphide LEDs emit green light at a wavelength of 555 nm. Nitrogen-doped gallium phosphide emits yellow-green (565 nm) light, zinc oxide doped gallium phosphide emits red (700 nm). Indium phosphide is a semiconductor and is used in high-power and high-frequency electronics because of its superior electron velocity with respect to the more common semiconductors such as gallium arsenide. Indium phosphide also has one of the longest-lived optical phonons of any compound with the zincblende crystal structure.

Sodium phosphide is a source of the highly reactive phosphide anion. The material is insoluble in all solvents but reacts as a slurry with acids and related. Sodium phosphide is also employed commercially as a catalyst in conjunction with zinc phosphide and aluminum phosphide for polymer production. Sodium phosphide is highly dangerous releasing toxic phosphine upon hydrolysis, a process that is so exothermic that fires result.

Purities include 99%, 99.9%, 99.99%, 99.999% and 99.9999% which are sometimes referred to as 2N, 3N, 4N, 5N and 6N.

Physical properties may include nanopowder, nano particle, submicron, - 325 mesh, rod, foil, and high surface area bromide with particle distribution and particle size controlled and certified. We produce larger - 40 mesh, - 100 mesh, -200 mesh range sizes and < 0.5 mm, 2 mm, 5 mm and other mm size shot, granules, lump, flake and pieces, too.

American Elements maintains industrial scale production for all its phosphide products.

American Elements will execute Non-Disclosure or Confidentiality Agreements to protect customer know-how.

Please select from the table a Phosphide Material:

Aluminum Phosphide
Antimony Phosphide
Arsenic Phosphide
Barium Phosphide
Beryllium Phosphide
Boron Phosphide
Cadmium Phosphide
Calcium Phosphide
Cerium Phosphide
Chromium Phosphide
Cobalt Phosphide
Copper Phosphide
Dysprosium Phosphide