Boron phosphide

Boron phosphide (BP) (also referred to as boron monophosphide, to distinguish it from boron subphosphide, B₁₂P₂) is a chemical compound of boron and phosphorus. It is a semiconductor.

History

Crystals of boron phosphide were synthesized by Henri Moissan as early as 1891.

Appearance

Pure BP is almost transparent, n-type crystals are orange-red whereas p-type ones are dark red.

Chemical properties

BP is not attacked by acids or boiling aqueous alkali water solutions. It is only attacked by molten alkalis.

Physical properties

BP is known to be chemically inert and exhibit very high thermal conductivity. Some properties of BP are listed below:

• lattice constant 0.45383 nm
• coefficient of thermal expansion 3.65 /°C (400 K)
• heat capacity C_P ~ 0.8 J/(g·K) (300 K)
• Debye temperature = 985 K
• Bulk modulus 152 GPa
• relatively high microhardness of 32 GPa (100 g load).
• electron and hole mobilities of a few hundred cm²/(V·s) (up to 500 for holes at 300 K)
• high thermal conductivity of ~ 460 W/(m·K) at room temperature

See also

• Boron arsenide
• Boron nitride
• Aluminium phosphide
• Gallium phosphide

References

Further reading