A template-engaged strategy is used to synthesize nanostructured metal phosphides with different compositions. Among the as-synthesized metal phosphides, nickel cobalt phosphides quasi-hollow nanocubes exhibit the best electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction in terms of lower overpotential and smaller Tafel slope in alkaline solution.

Transition metal phosphides are a group of compounds with interesting chemical/physical properties and potential applications in various fields, such as electronics, magnetism, photonics, catalysis, and so on1–4. In particular, metal phosphides (e.g. MoP, Ni2P, WP, Fe2P and Co2P) have been used as catalysts and extensively studied for hydrotreating reactions5–8. Among these phosphides, MoP, Ni2...

The concentrations of Fe, Ni, Co, P, Cu, Ga, Ge, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, W, Ir and Pt in the phosphides and the metal of the coarse octahedrites Campo del Cielo, Canyon Diablo, Cranbourne and Sardis, the coarsest octahedrite Säo Juliäo de Moreira and the hexahedrites Braunau and Lombard have been determined by spark source mass spectrometry. Striking differences are observed of the element contents bet...

 Inhaled phosphine is absorbed rapidly from the lungs and distributed round the body  Inhaled or ingested zinc, aluminium and magnesium phosphides release phosphine into the respiratory tract and stomach; zinc phosphide can be absorbed intact from the gut  Dermal absorption of phosphine or phosphides is not considered a significant route of exposure  The majority of absorbed phosphine is ex...

Natural phosphides--the minerals containing phosphorus in a redox state lower than zero--are common constituents of meteorites but virtually unknown on the Earth. Herein we present the first rich occurrence of iron-nickel phosphides of terrestrial origin. Phosphide-bearing rocks are exposed in three localities in the surroundings of the Dead Sea, Levant: in the northern Negev Desert, Israel and...

Rodenticides and pesticides pose a significant threat not only to the environment but also directly to humans by way of accidental and/or intentional exposure. Metal phosphides, such as aluminum, magnesium, and zinc phosphides, have gained popularity owing to ease of manufacture and application. These agents and their hydrolysis by-product phosphine gas (PH3 ) are more than adequate for elimina...

Metal phosphides in general and aluminium phosphide in particular are potent insecticides and rodenticides. These are commercially used for protection of crops during storage, as well as during transportation. However, these are highly toxic substances. Their detrimental effects may range from nausea and headache to renal failure and death. It is, therefore, pertinent to ensure their circumspec...

Transition metal phosphides have been investigated heavily as hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts. One of the most active transition metal phosphides, CoP, has been tested for its stability and operability under mild conditions that it may be exposed to in its applications (photoelectrochemistry and artificial photosynthesis). Surface-interrogation scanning electrochemical microscopy (S...

Transition metal carbides and phosphides have shown tremendous potential as highly active catalysts. At a microscopic level, it is not well understood how these new catalysts work. Their high activity is usually attributed to ligand or/and ensemble effects. Here, we review recent studies that examine the chemical activity of metal carbide and phosphides as a function of size, from clusters to e...