Phosphorus oxychloride (POCl3) is a colourless liquid with a very characteristic, pungent odour. It easily hydrolyses to phosphoric acid and hydrogen chloride, which is accompanied by the emission of fumes.
The reaction of phosphorus oxychloride with water is very violent. Due to the high exothermicity of the process and the release of large amounts of suffocating hydrogen chloride, phosphorus oxychloride should be transported and stored in sealed packaging, protected against moisture and water.
The product has strong corrosive properties, which affects the type of packaging in which it should be stored and transported. The packaging should be made of a suitable material, preferably specific grade steel, Teflon or glass. It is very important to use personal protective equipment when working with phosphorus oxychloride, because direct contact causes skin burns. The product should be protected against both too high temperatures (due to the high vapour pressure of the substance) and too low temperatures (because it begins to solidify at temperatures below 1°C).
Phosphorus oxychloride is produced by the oxidation of phosphorus trichloride (PCl3), and the production technology used makes it possible to obtain a very high purity product. This gives this product a market advantage, especially when it is used for the synthesis of substances that must be of high purity or when contamination with metal ions is very undesirable.
POCl3 is an intermediate/raw material of high purity and reactivity, making it widely used in various fields such as organic chemistry, pharmaceutical industry, electronics and optical glasses.
The product of "SOLAR GRADE" purity is characterized byvery low content of metals, the sum of which does not exceed 1 ppm. It is thus possible to use it for the production of semiconductors in the process of doping silicon, i.e. introducing phosphorus atoms into the silicon structure, which changes its electrical properties, resulting in an increase in n-type conductivity.
This product also plays part in the formation of a phosphorus layer on the silicon surface during deposition (evaporation). The amount of phosphorus introduced to the silicon surface is controlled by selecting the appropriate flow and temperature conditions. Produced using phosphorus oxychloride, n-type emitters are often used in the production of silicon solar (photovoltaic) cells with semiconductor p-n junctions which convert solar radiation into electricity. For this type of conductor, the key process is phosphorus diffusion.
Due to its low cost, good stability, relative simplicity of the process, good control, homogeneity and high efficiency, phosphorus oxychloride is readily used in the production of n-type emitters. In this process, it displaced, among others, the solid P2O5.
Phosphorus oxychloride SOLAR GRADE is also used in the production of optical glass. Introducing a controlled amount of admixture to the glass structure allows for changing its optical properties, such as light transmission in a specific spectral range. In addition, the deposition of a phosphor layer on the glass surface can be used to change optical properties such as: reflection, transmission or absorption of light.
The product is subject to ADR/RID, ADN, IMDG/IATA international transport regulations.
The product is classified according to Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 [CLP/GHS].
Phosphorus oxychloride, Phosphoryl Trichloride, Phosphorus Oxide Trichloride, POCl3, CAS 10025-87-3.
Manufacturer: PCC Rokita SA
PCC Rokita SA is one of the largest chemical companies in Poland as well as Central and Eastern Europe. Its activity includes the production of chloroalkali, polyether polyols, polyalkylene glycols and phosphorus derivatives.
All the above information related to the product are provided according to the best knowledge of the manufacturer and published in good faith. However, the manufacturer does not guarantee the information and contents of this document are complete and accurate, and shall not be liable for the results of using them. The user is obliged to verify and confirm the information and contents of this documentation on his/her own. The manufacturer reserves the right to change the content of this document at any time without stating reasons of such changes.