Zinc phosphide

Synthesis and reactions

Zinc phosphide can be prepared by the reaction of zinc with phosphorus; however, for critical applications, additional processing to remove arsenic compounds may be needed.

Another method of preparation include reacting tri-n-octylphosphine with dimethylzinc.

Zinc phosphide reacts with water to produce phosphine (PH₃) and zinc hydroxide (Zn(OH)₂):

Structure

Zn₃P₂ has two forms, a room temperature tetragonal form which converts to a cubic form at around 845 °C. In the room temperature form there are discrete P atoms, zinc atoms are tetrahedrally coordinated and phosphorus six coordinate, with zinc atoms at 6 of the vertices of a distorted cube. ZnP₂ has two forms a lower temperature red tetragonal form and a black monoclinic form. In both of these there are chains of P atoms, helical in the tetragonal, semi-spiral in the monoclinic.

Thin Film Photovoltaic Applications

Zinc Phosphide is an ideal candidate for thin film photovoltaic applications, since it has strong optical absorption and an almost ideal band gap (1.5eV). In addition to this, both zinc and phosphorus are found abundantly in the earth’s crust, meaning that material extraction cost is low compared to other thin film photovoltaics. Both zinc and phosphorus are also nontoxic, which is not the case for other common commercial thin film photovoltaics, like Cadmium Telluride.

Researchers at the University of Alberta have successfully synthesized colloidal zinc phosphide, and are the first to do so. Before, researchers were able to create efficient solar cells from bulk zinc phosphide, but their fabrication required temperatures greater than 850 C or complicated vacuum deposition methods. By contrast, colloidal zinc phosphide nanoparticles, contained in a zinc phosphide “ink”, allows for inexpensive, easy large-scale production, by means of slot-die coating or spray coating.

The testing and development of these zinc phosphide thin films is still in its early stages, but early results are positive. Prototype heterojunction devices fabricated from zinc phosphide nanoparticle ink exhibited a rectification ratio of 600 and photosensitivity with an on/off ratio near 100. These are both acceptable suitability benchmarks for solar cells. Development still needs to be made on optimizing the nanoparticle ink formation and device architecture before commercialization is possible, but commercial spray-on zinc phosphide solar cells may be possible within ten years.

Rodenticide

Metal phosphides have been used as rodenticides. A mixture of food and zinc phosphide is left where the rodents can eat it. The acid in the digestive system of the rodent reacts with the phosphide to generate the toxic phosphine gas. This method of vermin control has possible use in places where rodents are immune to other common poisons. Other pesticides similar to zinc phosphide are aluminium phosphide and calcium phosphide.

Zinc phosphide is typically added to rodent baits in amount of around 0.75-2%. Such 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; However, birds, notably wild turkeys, are not sensitive to the smell. The baits have to contain sufficient amount of zinc phosphide in sufficiently attractive food in order to kill rodents in a single serving; a sublethal dose may cause aversion towards zinc-phosphide baits encountered by surviving rodents in the future.

Rodenticide-grade zinc phosphide usually comes as a black powder containing 75% of zinc phosphide and 25% of antimony potassium tartrate, an emetic to cause vomiting if the material is accidentally ingested by humans or domestic animals. However, it is still effective against rats, mice, guinea pigs and rabbits, none of which have a vomiting reflex.

Zinc phosphide use in New Zealand

The New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority has approved the import and manufacture of Microencapsulated Zinc Phosphide (MZP Paste) for the ground control of possums. The application was made by Pest Tech Limited, with support from Connovation Ltd, Lincoln University and the Animal Health Board. It will be used as an additional vertebrate poison in certain situations. Unlike 1080 poison, it cannot be used for aerial application.

Safety

Zinc phosphide is highly toxic. In Indian certification markings, it is marked as 'Highly Dangerous', which means that 1-50 mg of the substance ingested orally can be lethal.