What Is Phosphorus?
Phosphorus is an allotrope of phosphorus, appearing as a reddish-brown powder of equiaxed crystals.
Alongside phosphorus, there are white, purple, and black allotropes. All, except white phosphorus, are highly stable and less toxic. White phosphorus is highly toxic and ignites in the air. As phosphorus derives from white phosphorus, caution is advised due to potential white phosphorus content.
White phosphorus is often called yellow phosphorus due to its changing property to red phosphorus. The presence of impurities like red phosphorus turns it yellow. White phosphorus is also registered as yellow phosphorus under various laws and regulations.
Uses of Phosphorus
Phosphorus is utilized as a raw material in fireworks, matches, and more. Its applications include:
1. Flame Retardant
Despite being highly flammable, phosphorus becomes less so when mixed with flammable resin. In a fire, the red phosphorus in the resin reacts with air to form a fire-extinguishing phosphoric acid condensate.
2. Fertilizer Raw Material
Phosphorus serves as a critical ingredient in fertilizers, providing essential phosphoric acid through ammonium phosphate.
3. Others
In the semiconductor industry, high-purity phosphorus is used as a dopant and in organic synthesis, among other applications.
Properties of Phosphorus
Phosphorus, with a molecular formula of P4 and weight of 123.9, sublimates at 400°C and boils at 590°C under high pressure. It’s insoluble in water and several organic solvents.
The specific gravity of phosphorus varies by allotrope: 1.82 (white), 2.36 (purple), and 2.69 (black).
Phosphorus is stable, not igniting in air unlike white phosphorus, which does. However, it’s sensitive to oxidizing agents and friction, and can ignite or explode under certain conditions.
High molecular weight phosphorus is produced by polymerizing white phosphorus under high-temperature, air-deprived conditions.
Other Information on Phosphorus
How Phosphorus Is Produced
Phosphorus is produced from ore through white phosphorus. The process involves:
1. White Phosphorus Production
Mixing phosphorus ore, coke, and silica, then heating in an electric furnace to produce phosphorus vapor, which is condensed and recovered.
2. Production of Phosphorus
Yellow phosphorus is converted to phosphorus by heating in a reaction tank. The resultant phosphorus is then processed to remove unreacted material and obtain phosphorus powder.