Aluminium arsenide

Aluminium arsenide or aluminum arsenide (AlAs) is a semiconductor material with almost the same lattice constant as gallium arsenide and aluminium gallium arsenide and wider band gap than gallium arsenide. (AlAs) can form a superlattice with gallium arsenide (GaAs) which results in its semiconductor properties.[3] Because (GaAs) and (AlAs) have almost the same lattice constant, the layers have very little induced strain, which allows them to be grown almost arbitrarily thick. This allows for extremely high performance high electron mobility, HEMT transistors, and other quantum well devices.[4]

Aluminium arsenide
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.041.126
EC Number
  • 245-555-0
Properties
AlAs
Molar mass 101.9031 g/mol
Appearance orange crystals
Density 3.72 g/cm3
Melting point 1,740 °C (3,160 °F; 2,010 K)
reacts
Solubility reacts in ethanol
Band gap 2.12 eV (indirect)[1]
Electron mobility 200 cm2/(V·s) (300 K)
Thermal conductivity 0.9 W/(cm·K) (300 K)
3 (infrared)
Structure
Zinc Blende
T2d-F-43m
a = 566.0 pm
Tetrahedral
Thermochemistry
60.3 J/mol K
Std enthalpy of
formation (ΔfH⦵298)
 -116.3 kJ/mol
Hazards
NIOSH (US health exposure limits):
PEL (Permissible)
 [1910.1018] TWA 0.010 mg/m3[2]
REL (Recommended)
 Ca C 0.002 mg/m3 [15-minute][2]
IDLH (Immediate danger)
 Ca [5 mg/m3 (as As)][2]
Related compounds
Related semiconductor materials
 Aluminium gallium arsenide, Aluminium indium arsenide, Aluminium antimonide, Boron arsenide
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Infobox references

Properties

It has the following properties:[5]

  • Thermal expansion coefficient 5 µm/(°C*m)
  • Debye temperature 417 K
  • Microhardness 5.0 GPa (50 g load)
  • Number of atoms in 1 cm3: (4.42-0.17x)·1022[6]
  • Bulk modulus (7.55+0.26x)·1011 dyn cm−2[6]
  • Hardness on the Mohs scale: ~ 5[6]
  • Insolubility in H2O[6]

Uses

Aluminum arsenide is a III-V compound semiconductor material and is an advantageous material for the manufacture of optoelectronic devices, such as light emitting diodes.

Aluminum arsenide can be prepared using well-known methods, such as liquid and vapor-phase epitaxy techniques or melt-growth techniques. However, aluminum arsenide crystals prepared by these methods are generally unstable and generate arsine (AsH3) when exposed to moist air.

Synthesis

Little work has been reported on the preparation of aluminum arsenide, mainly because of the practical difficulties involved. Preparation from the melt is difficult because of the high melting point of the compound (about 1,700 °C) and of the extreme reactivity of aluminum at this temperature. A few workers have prepared small crystals from the melt, and polycrystalline ingots have also been produced. The best of this material has an impurity carrier density of the order of 1019/cm3 and is p-type.[7]

Reactivity

Aluminum arsenide is a stable compound; however, acid, acid fumes and moisture should be avoided. Hazardous polymerization will not occur. Decomposition of aluminum arsenide produces hazardous arsine gas and arsenic fumes.

Toxicity

The chemical, physical and toxicological properties of aluminum arsenide have not been thoroughly investigated and recorded.

Aluminum compounds have many commercial uses and are commonly found in industry. Many of these materials are active chemically and thus exhibit dangerous toxic and reactive properties.

Safety

Effects of exposure

Aluminum compounds have many commercial uses and are commonly found in industry. Many of these materials are active chemically and thus exhibit dangerous toxic and reactive properties. The chemical, physical and toxicological properties of aluminum arsenide have not been thoroughly investigated and recorded; however, there are some known chronic and acute symptoms based on chemical delivery.

Inhalation of aluminum arsenide may cause acute irritation to the respiratory system. It may also cause chronic arsenic poisoning, ulceration of the nasal septum, liver damage and cancer/diseases of the blood, kidneys and nervous system. Aluminum arsenide is poisonous if ingested and may cause gastrointestinal and skin effects and acute arsenic poisoning. Chronic implications from ingestion include arsenic poisoning, gastrointestinal disturbances, liver damage, and cancer/disease of the blood, kidneys and nervous system. If applied to the skin, aluminum arsenide may cause acute irritation, but there are no chronic health effects recorded.[8]

Special precautions

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage: Store in a cool, dry place in tightly sealed containers. Ensure there is good ventilation. Open and handle container with care. Do not store together with acids. Keep container tightly sealed.

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References
  1. "AlxGa1−xAs". Ioffe Database. Sankt-Peterburg: FTI im. A. F. Ioffe, RAN.
  2. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. "#0038". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
  3. Guo, L. "Structural, Energetic, and Electronic Properties of Hydrogenated Aluminum Arsenide Clusters". Journal of Nanoparticle Research. Vol. 13 Issue 5 p. 2029-2039. 2011.
  4. S. Adachi, GaAs and Related Materials: Bulk Semiconducting and Superlattice Properties. (World Scientific, Singapore, 1994)
  5. Berger, L. I. (1996). Semiconductor Materials. CRC Press. p. 125. ISBN 978-0-8493-8912-2.
  6. Dierks, S. "Aluminum Arsenide - Material Safety Data" Archived 2013-10-29 at the Wayback Machine. The Fitzgerald Group, MIT, 1994.
  7. Willardson, R., and Goering, H. (eds.), Compound Semiconductors, pp. 1, 184 (Reinhold Pub. Corp., New York, 1962).
  8. Sax. Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. Eighth edition. 2005.
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