Table of Contents
What is Silicon?
Silicon is an element that is found in the Earth’s crust. It is a metal and it is the second most common element in the Earth’s crust. Silicon is used to make computer chips and other electronic devices.
Occurrence in Nature
The element gallium is not found in nature in its elemental form. Instead, it is found combined with other elements in a variety of minerals. The most common minerals that contain gallium are sphalerite, germanite, and bauxite.
Properties of Silicon
Silicon is a semiconductor material with a wide variety of electronic and optical applications. Silicon has a high melting point of 1414 degrees Celsius, and a high boiling point of 2900 degrees Celsius. Silicon is a relatively inert element, and does not react with most other elements. Silicon has a density of 2.33 grams per cubic centimeter, and a valence of four. Silicon is a poor conductor of electricity, but is an excellent conductor of heat. Silicon is used in a wide variety of electronic devices, including transistors, solar cells, and integrated circuits.
Physical Properties of Silicon
Silicon is a chemical element with the symbol Si and atomic number 14. It is a hard and brittle crystalline solid with a blue-grey metallic lustre. It is a tetravalent metalloid and semiconductor. Silicon is the eighth most common element in the universe by mass, but very rarely occurs as the pure element in nature. It is usually found in the form of silicon dioxide or silicates.
Silicon is a semiconductor, meaning it has a limited ability to conduct electricity. When silicon is doped with other elements, its ability to conduct electricity can be greatly increased. Silicon is used in the manufacture of semiconductor devices such as transistors, microchips, and solar cells.
Chemical Properties of Silicon
Chemical properties of Silicon are:
• Silicon is a non-metal.
• Silicon is a poor conductor of electricity.
• Silicon is a poor conductor of heat.
• Silicon is a brittle, hard material.
• Silicon is a very stable element.
Compounds/Polymers of Silicon (Silicon Materials)
Amorphous Silicon Thin Films
Amorphous silicon (a-Si) is a type of silicon that is not crystalline. a-Si has a glass-like appearance and is used in solar cells, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), and light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
a-Si is made by depositing a thin film of silicon onto a substrate. The film is then heated to a high temperature, causing it to become amorphous.
a-Si has a high absorption coefficient, which means that it can absorb a large amount of light. This makes it an ideal material for solar cells and LEDs.
a-Si solar cells are more efficient than crystalline silicon solar cells, and they are less expensive to manufacture. a-Si LEDs are brighter and more efficient than traditional LEDs.
Uses of Silicon
1. Silicon is a semiconductor and is used in the manufacture of electronic devices such as transistors, microchips, and solar cells.
2. Silicon is also used in the manufacture of optical fibers for telecommunications.
3. Silicon is a key ingredient in the manufacture of concrete and is used to make Portland cement.
4. Silicon is also used as a deodorant.
Silicon Boiling Point
The boiling point of silicon is 2,711 degrees Fahrenheit.
