Phosphinecarboxamide as an unexpected phosphorus precursor in the chemical vapour deposition of zinc phosphide thin films

Abstract

This paper demonstrates the use of phosphinecarboxamide as a facile phosphorus precursor, which can be used alongside zinc acetate for the chemical vapour deposition (CVD) of adherent and crystalline zinc phosphide films. Thin films of Zn₃P₂ have a number of potential applications and phosphinecarboxamide is a safer and more efficient precursor than the highly toxic, corrosive and flammable phosphine used in previous CVD syntheses.