Electronic, Electrical and Related Materials

Phosphorus compounds are generally not unique among materials with useful electrical, magnetic or optical applications. Some P compounds have nevertheless scored hits in such applications and more may well be found in the current and very rapidly growing search for new materials. 

Useful electrically insulating cements are made with aluminium phosphates (Section 12.10), and P is an essential component of phosphor bronze (Section 12.19), which is utilised for electrical contacts (Chapter 8.2). 

Phosphoric acid, H3PO4, is used in fuel cells and as an additive to lead batteries (Section 12.1). The acid (H0)2(0)P CF2 CF2 P(0)(0H)2 has been proposed as an alternative fuel cell electrolyte. 

Compounds such as LiFeP04, LiCoP04 and LiFei jCOj are currently of much interest as replacements for the more expensive LiCo02. They have become the favoured material for cathodes in rechargeable lithium ion batteries and their application is being rigorously pursued (see below). 

Speculations have been and are being made about the future use of DNA in nanotechnology and electronic circuitry [1,2] (Chapter 11.6). Nanoscale electronics, now an up and coming subject, has included studies on several phosphorus compounds [3]. 

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