The Synthesis of Metal Phosphides: Reduction of Oxide Precursors in a Hydrogen Plasma

Abstract

A NiPpy phosphide synthesis: Nickel phosphides such as Ni2P and Ni3P are synthesized stoichiometrically from oxide precursors in a nonthermal hydrogen plasma at atmospheric pressure and low temperature in 60 min (see scheme). This energy- and time-efficient approach can also be applied to the synthesis of other metal phosphides such as GaP, InP, MoP, and WP.