Fe3P
iron phosphide · schreibersite
Fe3P is a metallic, thermodynamically stable iron phosphide used primarily as a catalyst in chemical and electrochemical processes.

About iron phosphide
Fe3P is a metallic iron phosphide that exists as a thermodynamically stable phase on the convex hull. Its robust structural integrity and electronic properties make it a subject of significant interest in materials science, particularly for researchers investigating efficient catalytic pathways.
As a member of the transition-metal phosphide family, this compound is valued for its ability to facilitate complex chemical reactions. Its metallic nature allows for excellent charge transfer, which is essential for its role in industrial and electrochemical catalysis.
Key Properties
Cross-validated computational properties for iron phosphide, aggregated across 4 databases.
Band GapEnergy needed to move an electron from the valence band to the conduction band. Lower or zero values tend to behave more metallic; larger gaps are more insulating or semiconducting.
Energy Above HullThermodynamic distance from the most stable set of competing phases. 0 eV/atom is on the convex hull; small positive values may still be experimentally accessible.
StabilityA plain-language summary of the best reported energy-above-hull result. It reflects whether the lowest-energy structure is on, near, or far from the stability hull.
StructuresCount of reported calculated crystal structures for this formula, including alternate polymorphs, source databases, and observed space groups.
Synthesis Routes
Literature-extracted synthesis procedures targeting Fe3P.
Applications
Where iron phosphide is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about iron phosphide, answered from cross-validated data.
What is Fe3P?
Fe3P is a metallic, thermodynamically stable iron phosphide used primarily as a catalyst in chemical and electrochemical processes.
What is Fe3P used for?
What is the band gap of Fe3P?
Is Fe3P a metal, semiconductor, or insulator?
Is Fe3P thermodynamically stable?
How many polymorphs of Fe3P are known?
How is Fe3P synthesized?
What elements does Fe3P contain?
Where does the data for Fe3P come from?
How It Compares
Within the transition-metal phosphide catalysts class.
Within the diverse family of transition-metal phosphides, Fe3P stands out for its high thermodynamic stability compared to more complex or phosphorus-rich phases like FeP2 or CoP2. While many phosphides in this class are explored for their specific stoichiometry-dependent activity, Fe3P is recognized as a fundamental building block in the study of iron-based catalysts.
Related Compounds
Other Transition-Metal Phosphide Catalysts in the database.
Data sources & attribution
- latticegraph — Lattice Graph Materials Intelligence Platform
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