Synthesizing copper phosphide in interacting of elemental phosphorus with copper (II) oxide in aqueous solutions

Abstract

The article deals with a possibility of the copper phosphide synthesis by interaction of copper (II) oxide and elemental phosphorus in the water solutions. The method of multifactorial experiment planning was used for more complete assessment of the influence of various factors on the copper phosphide yield, in particular, the concentration of phosphoric acid, the solution temperature, the process duration, the stirring rate and the weight ratio of copper oxide and phosphorus. The target product was identified by the chemical, X-ray phase and electron-optical analyses. Based on the experimental data, taking into account the significant particular functions, a multifactorial generalized equation for the output of copper phosphide was obtained. The equation is used to find the optimal conditions for the copper phosphide synthesis. The partial point dependences of the product yield on the studied factors show that they have a real impact on the process, and the mathematical models are adequate. The yield of copper phosphide is 95.1 %, which is in good agreement with the calculated data (96.5 %). The proposed method of obtaining copper phosphide in interacting of elemental phosphorus with copper (II) oxide in aqueous solutions can be used for industrial large-tonnage synthesis of copper phosphide and phosphoric acid. In this case, the proposed method does not involve appreciable costs for the production re-equipment.