A Mild One-Step Solvothermal Route to Metal Phosphides (Metal=Co, Ni, Cu)

Nanocrystalline Co2P, Ni2P, and Cu3P were successfully prepared through a simple solvothermal process based on the direct reactions of metal halides with yellow phosphorus at rather mild temperatures (80–140°C) with ethylenediamine used as the solvent. XRD, XPS, and TEM were used to study the phases, compositions, and morphologies of the final products. A possible mechanism is proposed and the influential factors in the process are discussed in detail.