Preparation and characterisation of Cd3P2, a II–V group compound semiconductor

Cadmium phosphide (α-Cd₃P₂) a II₃–V₂ compound semiconductor has been prepared by C/H₂ reduction of cadmium phosphate. The reduction process is conducted at 550°C allowing the reaction to continue for 4 to 5 hr. The material always gets deposited on the walls of the quartz tube at different zones, which after analysis is found to contain, depending upon the location of the zone, Cd₃P₂, CdP₂ and other cadmium rich phosphides. The resistivity of the pressed samples are of the order of 3 × 10⁻⁴Θ-cm. Optical absorption spectra of thin films, obtained by thermal evaporation on glass substrates, have exhibited broad bands around 620 nm.