Co2P: A facile solid state synthesis and its applications in alkaline rechargeable batteries

Comment on “Preparation of transition metal phosphides using the facile solid state synthesis”

“…The solid state methods to synthesize Co-P compounds could be divided into two types: one is to calcine Co metal and red phosphorous under inner atmospheres and the other one is to reduce Co-based and phosphorus-based compounds under reducing atmospheres. However, the author's have raised comments on the above two methods: the first one is difficult to obtain stoichiometric materials due to the volatilization and sublimation of red phosphorous, and the second one has potential safety hazard because of the adoption of H 2 [1].…”

Reply to Comment on “Preparation of transition metal phosphides using the facile solid state synthesis”

“…We state that it is difficult to obtain stoichiometric Co-P compounds due to the volatilization and sublimation of red phosphorous [1].…”

“…Peng et al Reply: The preceding comment raises issues regarding our work [1] which argues whether it is difficult or easy to obtain stoichiometric Co-P compounds in solid state diffusion technique.…”

“…Otherwise, during the heating, the phosphorous vapour would move up and may get deposited on the inner wall of the upper half of the quartz ampoule, which did not produce stoichiometric products due to phosphorous deficiency. But the mixing process of reactants was simple and facile in our paper [1]-the reactants were all dissolved in distilled water for a transparent solution, which was then placed in an oven until the water was evaporated.…”

“…The obtained products were resealed in evacuated ampoules at 1000 • C for another 15 days. But in our synthesis route, the obtained pink powders were merely calcined at 600 • C for 6 h at a heating rate of 10 K min −1 in inert Ar atmosphere [1].…”