Synthesis and Identification of Metastable Compounds: Black Arsenic—Science or Fiction?

Abstract

Back in black: All metastable and stable phases can be identified for the solid solution arsenic/phosphorus by a combination of quantum-chemical calculations and investigations of the phase formation. Reaction paths for phase formations and transitions in situ were also evaluated. The results show that orthorhombic black arsenic (o-As) is metastable in pure form and has only been previously obtained by stabilizing impurities. Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as ”Supporting Information”. Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.