ZN2824 Zinc Phosphide (CAS 1314-84-7)

Zinc Phosphide Description

Zinc Phosphide (CAS 1314-84-7) is an inorganic chemical compound. It is a grey solid, although commercial samples are often dark or even black. It is used as a rodenticide. Zn3P2 is a semiconductor with a direct band gap of 1.5 eV and may have applications in photovoltaic cells.

Zinc Phosphide Specifications

Safety Information

Symbol
Signal word	Danger
Hazard statements	H260 - H300 - H410
Precautionary statements	P223 - P231 + P232 - P264 - P273 - P370 + P378 - P422
Personal protective equipment	dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Faceshields, Gloves, respirator cartridge type N100 (US), type P1 (EN143) respirator filter, type P2 (EN 143) respirator cartridges, type P3 (EN 143) respirator cartridges
RIDADR	UN 1714 6.1(4.3) / PGI
WGK Germany	3

Zinc Phosphide Applications

Zinc Phosphide (CAS 1314-84-7) is an ideal candidate for thin-film photovoltaic applications, for it has strong optical absorption and an almost ideal bandgap (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 with that of 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.

Metal phosphides have been used as rodenticides. A mixture of food and zinc phosphide is left where the rodents can eat it. Zinc Phosphide is typically added to rodent baits in the amount of around 0.75-2%. Such baits have a strong, pungent garlic-like odor characteristic of phosphine liberated by hydrolysis.