Phosphine, also known as hydrogen phosphide or phosphorus hydride, is chemically represented as PH3. In its pure form, this gas is odorless, but because it is most commonly used in industrial applications that require less than an ultra-pure gas, it has a strong, unpleasant odor similar to rotten fish or garlic. This colorless gas at room temperature is extremely poisonous and highly flammable.
It can be made chemically by reacting white phosphorus with an alkali metal hydroxide. It can also be found naturally in anaerobic environments through the decomposition of organic materials that contain phosphorus.
Phosphine as a Biosignature Gas
Due to its strong connection to biological processes, this gas has emerged as a key biosignature gas in the search for extraterrestrial life. It is critical in the study and remote sensing of chemicals produced by biological processes as an indirect means for detecting the presence of alien life in space exploration.
Phosphine Gas Uses
Aside from its importance in extraterrestrial research and exploration, phosphine is also used in the manufacture of a wide range of industrial and commercial applications. It is an organophosphorus compound that is primarily used in the production of fumigants and pesticides. It is an essential element in the manufacture of flammable kits in the plastics industry.
Its low water solubility makes it an excellent catalyst and initiator in the semiconductor industry for condensation and polymerization tasks. Phosphine is also utilized extensively in the production of flame retardants for cotton and fabric textiles. PH3 is predominantly used as a deterrent against firebombs and other incendiary devices.
Phosphine Gas in Fumigants
The manufacture of fumigants is one of the major industries that consume a large amount of phosphine gas. As a basic fumigating ingredient, phosphine gas is used to kill insects, rodents, and vermin in grain, seed, and animal feedstock storage facilities. It is an excellent phytosanitary agent for treating grain silos, dry goods, and other plant products.
In the fumigating process, phosphine can be generally utilized either in its gaseous state or in pellet form as aluminum phosphide reacting with air moisture. A study from sciencedirect.com elaborates on the favorable conditions required for the phosphine fumigation process. The study includes information on the limiting factors during phosphine fumigation, such as temperature, fumigation time, and expected efficacy.
Phosphine Gas as a Dopant
Another area of work in which phosphine plays a key role is in the semiconductor industry. Phosphine is an excellent source of a specific type of dopant, which is important in producing of a wide range of electrical components used in many semiconductor factories. Its importance in the microelectronics sector is emphasized, particularly in the integration of phosphorus into silicon crystals for impurity modification.
The development of phosphorus-doped silicon-based nanowires has received a lot of attention in the production of electrical spare parts. It was found that PH3 is an excellent precursor of n-type dopants with properties that are frequently required for use in various optoelectronic devices. As a result, PH3 is now required in the development of highly electrically active components used in the assembly of a variety of electrical and optical items or devices.
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Phosphine Gas for Bump Tests and Calibration
Bump tests are critical quick-check procedures to ensure that the detection and alarm functions of installed sensors are running normally. And the calibration of phosphine gas monitors must be precise. The right mixture of the calibration gas used is often dictated by the manufacturer of the gas detector being used.
Phosphine gas mixtures, like those supplied by SpecGas Inc., are blended with a balance of pure nitrogen or other inert gases that you should specify when ordering. These gas blends are intentionally introduced into the sensors over a certain period of time to allow the alarm function to respond accurately. Depending on the type of sensor—single-gas or multi-gas device—a corresponding gas blend must be supplied.
Calibrating PH3 Gas Detectors
Calibration of PH3 gas detectors on a regular basis provides confidence and peace of mind that people in areas where PH3 is present are adequately protected. Calibration is a technical task that verifies whether or not an instrument’s alarms respond properly within the manufacturer-specified exposure thresholds to a target gas. The frequency with which these instruments are calibrated is determined by several known factors that affect the accuracy of the gas reading.
Frequent calibration is required when gas detectors are exposed for a prolonged period of time to extreme environmental conditions such as temperature, pressure, relative humidity, and moisture in the surroundings in which they are installed. Gas detectors used as primary tools for precision analytical tasks also need routine calibration. Furthermore, recalibrating gas detectors exposed to exceptionally high concentrations of target gas is crucial to prevent sensor poisoning and potential calibration drifts.
Technical calibration of PH3 gas detectors requires the use of specialized tools and equipment. In fact, OSHA recommends using the proper tools, such as calibration gas canisters with the appropriate concentration, flow controllers, sample tubing, and adapters or cap fitting accessories. They also provide guidelines and basic calibration rules for performing either periodic calibration checks or full calibration, emphasizing the importance of only using NIST-certified gas blends with traceable standards. Spec Gas Inc. is a resource for all types of calibration gas.
Phosphine Calibration Gas at SpecGas, Inc.
Seek out professional specialty gas experts to ensure precise phosphine gas blends with optimum stability and shelf life for your bump tests and calibration needs. SpecGas Inc. provides phosphine calibration gas in concentrations ranging from 300 ppb to 5% of total volume. These phosphine calibration gas blends are available in aluminum cylinders ranging from 5.9 to 46.3 liters in internal volume and special Ni-plated canisters ranging from 6.8 to 44 liters in internal volume.
For your next bump testing and calibration requirements for your gas detectors and other gas sensing instruments, you can always rely on SpecGas, Inc., the expert!