Powder iron phosphide (FeP) has been prepared via a benzene-thermal synthesis with the reaction of anhydrous iron chloride (FeCl3) and sodium phosphide (Na3P) at 180-190degreesC. The product was analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and the results show the mole ratio of Fe:P is 1.12. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern can be indexed to the orthorhombic cell of FeP with the lattice constant a = 5.191, b = 3.101, and c = 5.789 Angstrom. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images indicate that average particle size is about 200 run in diameter. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.