Mesoporous Semimetallic Conductors: Structural and Electronic Properties of Cobalt Phosphide Systems

Mesoporous cobalt phosphide (meso-CoP) was prepared by the phosphorization of ordered mesoporous cobalt oxide (meso-Co3 O4 ). The electrical conductivity of meso-CoP is 37 times higher than that of nonporous CoP, and it displays semimetallic behavior with a negligibly small activation energy of 26 meV at temperatures below 296 K. Above this temperature, only materials with mesopores underwent a change in conductivity from semimetallic to semiconducting behavior. These properties were attributed to the coexistence of nanocrystalline Co2 P phases. The poor crystallinity of mesoporous materials has often been considered to be a problem but this example clearly shows its positive aspects. The concept introduced here should thus lead to new routes for the synthesis of materials with high electronic conductivity.