The Seven Most Common Metalloids: Examples and Its Uses
The 7 Most Common Metalloids
Boron
Silicon
Germanium
Arsenic
Antimony
Tellurium
Polonium
Their Uses:
Boron -Amorphous boron is used in pyrotechnic flares to provide a distinctive green colour, and in rockets as an igniter. The most important compounds of boron are boric (or boracic) acid, widely used as a mild antiseptic, and borax which serves as a cleansing flux in welding and as a water softener in washing powders. Boron compounds are also extensively used in the manufacture of borosilicate glasses. Pyrex glass is tough and heat resistant because of the boric acid used to make it. The isotope boron 10 is used as a control for nuclear reactors, as a shield for nuclear radiation, and in instruments used for detecting neutrons. Demand is increasing for boron filaments, a high-strength, low-density material chiefly employed for advanced aerospace structures.
Silicon- Silicon is one of the most useful elements to mankind. Sand and clay, which both contain silicon, are used to make concrete and cement. Sand is also the principal ingredient of glass, which has thousands of uses. Silicon is a component of steel, and silicon carbides are important abrasives and also used in lasers. Silicon is present in pottery and enamels, and in high-temperature materials. However, silicon is increasingly used in micro-electronic devices. The silicon is usually doped with precise, very small amounts of boron, gallium, phosphorus or arsenic for use in transistors, solar cells, rectifiers and other instruments.
Germanium- Germanium is a very important semiconductor. The pure element is doped with arsenic, gallium or other elements and used as a transistor in thousands of electronic applications. Germanium is also finding use as an alloying agent, in fluorescent lamps and as a catalyst. Both germanium and germanium oxide are transparent to infrared radiation and so are used in infrared spectroscopes. Germanium oxide has a high index of refraction and dispersion and is used
Boron
Silicon
Germanium
Arsenic
Antimony
Tellurium
Polonium
Their Uses:
Boron -Amorphous boron is used in pyrotechnic flares to provide a distinctive green colour, and in rockets as an igniter. The most important compounds of boron are boric (or boracic) acid, widely used as a mild antiseptic, and borax which serves as a cleansing flux in welding and as a water softener in washing powders. Boron compounds are also extensively used in the manufacture of borosilicate glasses. Pyrex glass is tough and heat resistant because of the boric acid used to make it. The isotope boron 10 is used as a control for nuclear reactors, as a shield for nuclear radiation, and in instruments used for detecting neutrons. Demand is increasing for boron filaments, a high-strength, low-density material chiefly employed for advanced aerospace structures.
Silicon- Silicon is one of the most useful elements to mankind. Sand and clay, which both contain silicon, are used to make concrete and cement. Sand is also the principal ingredient of glass, which has thousands of uses. Silicon is a component of steel, and silicon carbides are important abrasives and also used in lasers. Silicon is present in pottery and enamels, and in high-temperature materials. However, silicon is increasingly used in micro-electronic devices. The silicon is usually doped with precise, very small amounts of boron, gallium, phosphorus or arsenic for use in transistors, solar cells, rectifiers and other instruments.
Germanium- Germanium is a very important semiconductor. The pure element is doped with arsenic, gallium or other elements and used as a transistor in thousands of electronic applications. Germanium is also finding use as an alloying agent, in fluorescent lamps and as a catalyst. Both germanium and germanium oxide are transparent to infrared radiation and so are used in infrared spectroscopes. Germanium oxide has a high index of refraction and dispersion and is used