Niobium phosphide
| Names | |
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| Other names
Phosphanylidyneniobium
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| Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol)
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| ChemSpider | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.031.633 |
| EC Number |
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PubChem CID
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CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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| Properties | |
| NbP | |
| Molar mass | 123.88 |
| Appearance | Dark-gray crystals |
| Density | 6,48 g/cm3 |
| Insoluble | |
| Structure | |
| Tetragonal | |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references
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Niobium phosphide is an inorganic compound of niobium and phosphorus with the chemical formula NbP.[1]
Properties
Niobium phosphide is classified as a Weyl semimetal[2][3], characterized by linearly dispersing electronic bands near the Fermi level that intersect at discrete points known as Weyl nodes. These nodes arise as a direct consequence of the material’s non-centrosymmetric crystal structure and strong spin–orbit coupling[4]. Experimental studies using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) have confirmed the existence of topologically protected surface states, known as Fermi arcs, which connect the projections of Weyl nodes with opposite chirality[5]. The electronic structure gives rise to unusual transport behavior, including extremely large magnetoresistance and high carrier mobility, reflecting the small, compensated electron and hole pockets near the Weyl points and the topological nature of the band structure[6].
Structure
Niobium phosphide forms dark gray crystals of the non-centrosymmetric, tetragonal system, space group I4₁md (No. 109), with cell parameters a = 0.3334 nm, c = 1.1378 nm, Z = 4.[7][8], the same structure type as other transition-metal monopnictide Weyl semimetals such as TaAs and NbAs. The unit cell contains four formula units, and each niobium atom is coordinated by six phosphorus atoms and vice versa, forming a three-dimensional network of distorted polyhedra [4].
Synthesis
It is prepared by sintering powdered niobium and phosphorus:
- 4 Nb + P4 → 4 NbP
Uses
The compound is a semiconductor used in high power, high frequency applications and in laser diodes.[1]
Niobium phosphate is also being explored specifically for replacing copper as an ultra-thin nanometer film, where it exhibits much lower resistance than the conventional metal.[9]
NbP may be suitable for use in new electronic components.[10]
References
- ^ a b "Niobium Phosphide". American Elements. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ Xu, Di-Fei; Du, Yong-Ping; Wang, Zhen; Li, Yu-Peng; Niu, Xiao-Hai; Yao, Qi; Pavel, Dudin; Xu, Zhu-An; Wan, Xian-Gang; Feng, Dong-Lai (18 September 2015). "Observation of Fermi Arcs in Non-Centrosymmetric Weyl Semi-Metal Candidate NbP". Chinese Physics Letters. 32 (10) 107101. arXiv:1509.03847. Bibcode:2015ChPhL..32j7101X. doi:10.1088/0256-307x/32/10/107101. S2CID 124554632. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ Fu, Yan-Long; Sang, Hai-Bo; Cheng, Wei; Zhang, Feng-Shou (1 September 2020). "Topological properties after light ion irradiation on Weyl semimetal niobium phosphide from first principles". Materials Today Communications. 24 100939. doi:10.1016/j.mtcomm.2020.100939. S2CID 212936560. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ a b Shekhar, Chandra; Nayak, Ajaya K.; Sun, Yan; Schmidt, Marcus; Nicklas, Michael; Leermakers, Inge; Zeitler, Uli; Skourski, Yurii; Wosnitza, Jochen; Liu, Zhongkai; Chen, Yulin; Schnelle, Walter; Borrmann, Horst; Grin, Yuri; Felser, Claudia; Yan, Binghai (2015). "Extremely large magnetoresistance and ultrahigh mobility in the topological Weyl semimetal NbP". Nature Physics. 11 (8): 645–649. arXiv:1502.04361. doi:10.1038/nphys3372.
- ^ Khan, Asir Intisar; Ramdas, Akash; Lindgren, Emily; Kim, Hyun-Mi; Won, Byoungjun; Wu, Xiangjin; Saraswat, Krishna; Chen, Ching-Tzu; Suzuki, Yuri; da Jornada, Felipe H.; Oh, Il-Kwon; Pop, Eric (2025). "Surface conduction and reduced electrical resistivity in ultrathin noncrystalline NbP semimetal". Science. 387: 62–67. doi:10.1126/science.adq7096.
- ^ Mariani, G.; Balduini, F.; Drucker, N.; et al. (2025). "Orientation dependent resistivity scaling in mesoscopic NbP crystals". Communications Materials. 6: 106. doi:10.1038/s43246-025-00828-w. PMC 12116380.
- ^ Lomnits'ka, Ya. F.; Shupars'ka, A. I. (1 July 2006). "Reactions of niobium and tungsten with phosphorus". Powder Metallurgy and Metal Ceramics. 45 (7–8): 361–364. doi:10.1007/s11106-006-0090-1. S2CID 102218365. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ Sapkota, Deepak; Mukherjee, Rupam; Mandrus, David (2016-12-06). "Single Crystal Growth, Resistivity, and Electronic Structure of the Weyl Semimetals NbP and TaP". Crystals. 6 (12): 160. Bibcode:2016Cryst...6..160S. doi:10.3390/cryst6120160. ISSN 2073-4352.
- ^ Zhai, Enzi; Liang, Tianyu; Liu, Ruizi; Cai, Mingyang; Li, Ran; Shao, Qiming; Su, Cong; Lin, Yuxuan Cosmi (August 2024). "The rise of semi-metal electronics". Nature Reviews Electrical Engineering. 1 (8): 497–515. doi:10.1038/s44287-024-00068-z. ISSN 2948-1201.
- ^ Chen, Yulin (July 13, 2015). "Niobium Phosphide (NbP) Holds Promise for New Magnetoresistance Components". Power Electronics. Retrieved 15 December 2021.