MAGNESIUM SILICIDE

Description

Magnesium silicide has the molecular formula of Mg₂Si and the molecular weight of 76.6955 g/mol. Its density is 1.998 g/cc and its melting point is 1102°C. It is a black powder.
Mg₂Si crystallizes in a cubic CaF₂ (fluorspar)-type lattice with a = 4.49 ? . The centers of this lattice are analogous to that of diamond. Each Si atom forms four covalent sp3 bonds. The Mg subshells are only half-filled. There is no bonding between the two Mg atom sites. The distance between the Mg and Si atoms is 2.77 ? . Bonding in this compound is essentially covalent.

Chemical properties

blue crystals

Chemical properties

Magnesium silicide is a slate blue crystalline solid.

Physical properties

Magnesium silicide is unstable in air and reacts with moisture to form silane. When magnesium silicide is placed into aqueous HCl, the gas silane, SiH₄, is produced. This gas is the silicon analogue of methane, CH₄, but is more reactive. Silane is pyrophoric, that is due to the presence of O₂ in the air, i.e. it spontaneously combusts in air. These reactions are typical of a Group-2 silicide. Mg₂Si reacts similarly with sulfuric acid. As a powder, magnesium silicide is dark blue or slightly purple in color.

The Uses of MAGNESIUM SILICIDE

Magnesium silicide is used to produce alloys such as aluminum alloys. It is also used in food, beverages, as a flavor enhancer and as an intermediate in chemical research.

The Uses of MAGNESIUM SILICIDE

In semiconductor research. Has been used to build Mg-Si rectifiers.

The Uses of MAGNESIUM SILICIDE

Magnesium silicide (Mg₂Si) can be used as a thermoelectric material for the fabrication of thermoelectric (TE) devices. It can also be used as a counter electrode for lithium-ion batteries. It can generally be synthesized as a nanoparticle that can be utilized as a deoxygenation agent.

General Description

A colorless crystalline solid. Insoluble in water and denser than water. Contact may irritate skin, eyes and mucous membranes. May be toxic by ingestion.

Air & Water Reactions

Contact with moisture under acidic condition generates silanes that ignite in air. Insoluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

MAGNESIUM SILICIDE is a reducing agent. May react vigorously with oxidizing materials.

Health Hazard

Inhalation or contact with vapors, substance or decomposition products may cause severe injury or death. May produce corrosive solutions on contact with water. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control may cause pollution.

Fire Hazard

Produce flammable gases on contact with water. May ignite on contact with water or moist air. Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water. May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Some are transported in highly flammable liquids. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.

Potential Exposure

Magnesium silicide is used in the semiconductor industry and to produce certain aluminum alloys

First aid

If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove anycontact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least15 min, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts theskin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediatelywith soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. Ifthis chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure,begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR ifheart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medicalfacility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention. Give large quantities of water and inducevomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit.

storage

Flammable solid. Color Code—Red: FlammabilityHazard: Store in a flammable materials storage area. Priorto working with this chemical you should be trained on itsproper handling and storage. Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area away from acids. Keepdry at all times. Sources of ignition, such as smoking andopen flames, are prohibited where magnesium silicide ishandled, used, or stored.

Shipping

UN2624 Magnesium silicide, Hazard Class: 4.3; Labels: 4.3-Dangerous when wet materia

Structure and conformation

The space lattice of Mg2Si belongs to the cubic system, and it has an antifluorite type structure (refer to Mg2Ge) with a lattice constant of a=0.634 nm.

Incompatibilities

Possibly pyrophoric, especially in moist air. Pyrophoric; mixtures with air are spontaneously explosive. A strong reducing agent. Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine, bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions. Keep away from alkaline materials, mineral acids, strong acids, strong bases. Reacts with water; releasing explosive hydrogen gas and may also release selfigniting toxic silane gas