Abstract

In this paper, we report a safe method for the preparation of transition metal arsenides. At room temperature, well-crystallized and monodispersed arsenides particles were successfully obtained under high-intensity ultrasonic irradiation for 4 h from the reaction of transition metal chlorides, arsenic (which is the least toxic arsenic feedstock) and zinc in ethanol. Characterization by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron diffraction (ED), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) shows that the product powders consist of nanosize particles. The ultrasonic irradiation and the solvent are both important in the formation of the product.