Is Silicon Toxic Free?

Silicon has an atomic number of 14 and the chemical symbol Si. In nature, silicon is found in large quantities, mostly as silicates and silicon dioxide. Approximately 26.4% of the earth’s crust is composed of it, making it the second most plentiful element in the crust after oxygen.

Silicon Applications

(I) The semiconductor sector

In the production of silicon wafers, a crucial component for integrated circuits, transistors, solar cells, and other devices, silicon is utilized extensively. An essential semiconductor material that can be used to create thyristors, diodes, triodes, and other integrated circuits, such as computer chips and CPUs, is high-purity single-crystal silicon.

Semiconductor characteristics are also present in silicon. Because silicon crystals lack visible free electrons, their conductivity is not as good as that of metals, and it decreases with rising temperature. However, the conductivity of silicon is determined by its atomic structure.

Furthermore, silicon overcomes certain other materials’ limitations as a semiconductor. For instance, one of the greatest semiconductor materials found to date is boron arsenide. It possesses strong heat conductivity and high electron and hole mobility, overcoming two of silicon’s shortcomings as a semiconductor. Nevertheless, further research is required to ascertain whether cubic boron arsenide can be produced in a form that is both practical and affordable, as it has only been produced and tested on a laboratory scale thus far.

For three key reasons, silicon wafers remain the most widely utilised material in integrated circuit manufacturing: The process of refining silicon has advanced significantly in recent decades, making it possible to obtain intrinsic silicon with a remarkably high purity when compared to other semiconductor materials. The technology is dependable and well-established, and numerous processes and technologies have been developed over time specifically for the production and processing of silicon-based semiconductors.

(II) Conventional inorganic substances

Traditional inorganic materials including cement, glass, ceramics, and refractory materials also include large amounts of silicon. Soda ash, quartz, and limestone are the basic materials used to make regular glass. Silicon dioxide is the primary component of quartz. Soda ash, quartz, and limestone are the primary raw materials used in the industrial manufacturing of regular glass, with silicon playing a significant part in these materials.

In addition to being essential to the process of making cement, silicon is also the primary constituent of cement along with other ingredients. Silicon can increase the fire resistance of materials used in refractory processes. Furthermore, the stability and durability of silicon are also a result of its utilization in conventional inorganic materials. These supplies are commonly utilized in building, decorating, and other industries.

(III) Novel inorganic substances

Additionally, silicon is crucial to the development of novel inorganic materials like enhanced glass, synthetic crystals, and new ceramics. For instance, silicon can boost the strength, hardness, and wear resistance of new ceramics while also improving their performance. Silicon can contribute unique optical, electrical, and thermal qualities to glass.

High-transparency glass fibers made from pure silicon dioxide, for instance, are used as optical fiber communication materials. Bulky cables are replaced by this communication method, which also has a high communication capacity and high confidentiality, is impervious to magnetic and electrical interference, and is not concerned about eavesdropping. Silicon can act as a growth matrix for crystals in manufactured crystals, encouraging their expansion and maturation.

(IV) Field of lithium batteries

One of the most promising negative electrodes for lithium-ion batteries is silicon. Single Si is a lithium-ion battery negative electrode material with an exceptionally high theoretical specific capacity; at room temperature, it has a theoretical specific capacity of up to 3579mAh/g.

When used as the negative electrode material in lithium-ion batteries, silicon offers many benefits. First, compared to current graphite negative electrode materials, silicon alloys with lithium at room temperature have a theoretical specific capacity of up to 4200mAh/g, which is more than ten times higher; second, silicon is widely distributed and abundant in the earth’s crust; third, silicon has a slightly higher potential platform than graphite and is safe; fourth, the low-temperature performance of silicon-based negative electrode materials is better than that of graphite; and fifth, it can provide channels for lithium-ion embedding and extraction from all directions and has excellent fast charging performance.

Nevertheless, there are numerous obstacles in the way of using silicon as a negative electrode material for lithium-ion batteries. For instance, during the insertion and extraction of lithium, the volume of the silicon negative electrode will grow and contract by up to 300% or more, creating significant mechanical stress. Low initial efficiency and poor cycle performance will come from the silicon particles breaking and pulverizing after several cycles, which will significantly impede the transfer of lithium ions inside the negative electrode. To overcome these issues, the industry has currently implemented extensive treatment methods such as carbon coating and nano-sizing; nevertheless, as each process is unique, there is currently no standard procedure.

Discussion on the Toxicity of Silicon

According to studies, silicon in general poses no health risks to humans. Numerous things, including minerals, soil, rocks, sand, quartz, and more, naturally contain silicon. Moderate daily exposure to silicon does not significantly impair health. For instance, silicon plays a major role in the metabolism of polysaccharides and can also stimulate the synthesis of collagen in the bone and the biomineralization process in the human body. Additionally, it can be applied clinically to cure fractures or bone calcification. When used as directed, it mostly aids in bone repair and may provide some benefit for overall body health.

On the other hand, breathing in excessive amounts of silica dust or silicon powder over an extended period may be harmful to your health. A chronic lung condition known as pulmonary silicosis can be brought on by prolonged exposure to high silica dust concentrations. Long-term occupational exposure to high quantities of silica dust, such as that experienced by miners, grinders, and ceramic production workers, is the primary cause of pulmonary silicosis. The primary clinical signs and symptoms of pulmonary silicosis are expectoration, chest discomfort, tightness in the chest, coughing, and dyspnoea. Serious lung function impairment frequently lowers a patient’s quality of life and shortens their life expectancy.

Furthermore, consuming too much silicon may have certain negative impacts on human health. Overconsumption of silicon can impact vitamin D and calcium absorption, resulting in diseases like osteoporosis. Prolonged high silicon consumption can also raise the strain on the liver and kidneys, causing aberrant liver and kidney function as well as the development of diseases including myelodysplasia and multiple myeloma. Another way that silica dust gets into the lungs is through silicosis. Depending on how bad it is, it could cause diseases like lung cancer or symptoms like exhaustion, coughing, and trouble breathing. Additionally, blood vessel walls may be impacted by silicon, which can result in conditions like hypertension and arteriosclerosis. An excessive silicon diet over time may raise the risk of cardiovascular disease.