Strontium disilicide
Chemical compound
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Strontium disilicide is a binary inorganic compound of strontium and silicon with the chemical formula SrSi2.[2][3]
| Names | |
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| Other names
Strontium silicide, strontium(II) silicide | |
| Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) |
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| ChemSpider | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.032.031 |
| EC Number |
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PubChem CID |
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CompTox Dashboard (EPA) |
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| Properties | |
| Si2Sr | |
| Molar mass | 143.79 g·mol−1 |
| Appearance | silver-gray crystals[1] |
| Density | 3.35 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | 1,100 °C (2,010 °F; 1,370 K) |
| reacts with water | |
| Structure | |
| Cubic | |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Synthesis
Synthesis of strontium disilicide can be by fusion of strontium oxide or strontium carbonate with silicon, or silicon oxide and with coal:[4]
- SrO + 2Si + С → SrSi2 + CO
- SrCO3 + 2SiO2 + 4C → SrSi2 + 4CO + CO2
Physical properties
Strontium disilicide forms silver-gray crystals of the cubic system,[5] space group P4132.[6] The unit cell parameters are a = 6.540 Å. The density is measured at 3.40 kg/l but based on the unit cell size, it should be 3.43 kg/l. The silicon atoms form a three-dimensional lattice with the smallest Si-Si distance being 2.41 Å which is slightly more than in solid silicon. Si-Si-Si angles ∠ are 113.03°. Each silicon atom connects to three other silicon atoms. Eight silicon atoms surround each strontium atom, six at 3.21 Å and two at 3.43 Å.[7]
Chemical properties
Water decomposes the compound:[8]
- SrSi2 + 6H2O → Sr(OH)2 + 2SiO2 + 5H2
Also, the compound reacts with mineral acids.
Uses
SrSi2 is reported to be a narrow-gap semiconductor or even a Weyl semimetal, with holes as the dominant charge carriers. The potential applications include thermoelectric devices and other applications where its unique properties can be utilized.[9]