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Namrata Singh, Department of Chemistry, and Dr Vibhuti Rai, Department of Geology, University of Lucknow
We would like to bring forward the very unique substance that is making waves in terms of its application in modern industries such as electronics, solar, and nano. “Silicon” was discovered in the year 1824 by Jons Jacob Berzelius, the Swedish chemist, and remained as it is for almost 200 years. “Silicon Valley” of the USA is the testimony of this magic element.
Silicon is a chemical element with the symbol Si and atomic number 14. It is a metalloid, exhibiting properties of both metals and nonmetals. It lies in group 14 of the periodic table, sharing similarities with carbon and germanium. Tetrahedral Bonding Similar to Carbon: Silicon forms a tetrahedral structure similar to carbon but with lower bond strength. This property makes it suitable for a wide range of polymers (e.g., silicones).
Magical indeed!
Silicon’s versatility, abundance and critical role in enabling transformative technologies give it a near-magical reputation. It bridges the gap between natural resources and cutting-edge advancements, making it an essential element for progress in the modern world. Its impact spans industries from computing and energy to healthcare and construction, defining its “magic” for humanity. Silicon is often considered a “special element” in today’s world because of its essential role in technology, industry, and environmental sustainability. Its unique properties make it indispensable across a wide array of applications:
1. The foundation of modern electronics
Semiconductors: Silicon is the backbone of modern electronics due to its semiconducting properties. It is the key material in transistors, integrated circuits (ICs), and microchips, which power devices like smartphones, computers, and data centres.
Solar Panels: High-purity silicon is essential in photovoltaic cells, converting sunlight into electricity, making it critical for the green energy revolution.
2. Role in green technology
Energy Efficiency: Silicon’s role in solar cells and energy storage systems (like silicon anodes in lithium-ion batteries) is central to reducing carbon footprints.
Recyclability: Silicon-based materials can often be recycled, contributing to sustainable practices in manufacturing and electronics.
3. Innovations in healthcare and biotechnology
Nanotechnology: Silicon nanoparticles are being developed for targeted drug delivery, biosensors, and medical imaging.
Biocompatibility: Silicon is used in medical implants and prosthetics due to its inert and non-toxic nature.
4. Driving Future Innovations
Artificial Intelligence (AI): Silicon chips power AI systems, enabling advancements in computing, robotics, and machine learning.
Quantum Computing: Research into silicon-based qubits could pave the way for more stable and scalable quantum computers.
Environmental Remediation: Silicon-based materials are being explored for carbon capture and water purification technologies.
Occurrence in the universe and on Earth
Silicon is the seventh most abundant element in the universe.
About 27.7% of the Earth’s crust is made up of silicon, which is one of the most ubiquitous elements on the planet, second only to oxygen.
It is mostly found in the form of compounds, namely silicates and silica, and is rarely found in its elemental form.
1. Silicon in the Earth’s crust
Silicates: Silicon combines with oxygen and other elements to form silicates, which are the most common minerals in the Earth’s crust. Examples include feldspar, quartz, and mica.
Quartz: Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals, composed almost entirely of silicon and oxygen.
Clay and Sand: Many clays and sands are rich in silicon, primarily as silica or silicates.
2. Silicon in rocks
Igneous Rocks: Silicon is a key component of igneous rocks like granite and basalt, as it forms the framework of silicate minerals.
Sedimentary Rocks: Silicon is also found in sandstones, which are predominantly composed of quartz.
Metamorphic Rocks: Silicon-containing minerals are transformed under pressure and temperature into new forms, such as schist and gneiss.
3. Silica in the biosphere
Silica is found in living organisms, especially in diatoms, sponges, and some plants. Diatoms, a type of algae, use silica to construct their cell walls, contributing significantly to the silica cycle.
Silicon production in India
Silicon could be extracted using magnesium (Mg) as a reducing agent, particularly from silica (SiO2), in a thermochemical reduction process. This method is commonly used in laboratory-scale experiments to produce small quantities of elemental silicon and is valued for its simplicity and ability to operate at relatively low temperatures compared to industrial carbothermic methods.
Occurrence of Quartz Reefs in India
Quartz reefs in India are primarily found in Precambrian shields such as the Bundelkhand, Dharwar, Aravalli, and Singhbhum cratons. These reefs are also associated with pegmatite veins and hydrothermal deposits, making them valuable for industrial and scientific purposes.
Rajasthan: Ajmer, Jaipur, and Udaipur are known for significant quartz deposits.
Karnataka: Chitradurga and Hassan districts have notable quartz reefs.
Tamil Nadu: Salem, Namakkal, and Coimbatore districts have quartz reefs.
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana: Kurnool, Nellore, and Khammam have significant quartz deposits.
Odisha: Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts are known for quartz reefs.
Madhya Pradesh: Quartz reefs are present in Chhatarpur and Balaghat districts.
Jharkhand: The Hazaribagh and Giridih districts are known for their quartz reefs.
Uttar Pradesh : Sonbhadra District, Lalitpur District, Bundelkhand Craton, Jhansi, Mirzapur and Chandauli.
Lately, we are also postulating that the washed beach sands spread all across the coastal areas of the country could be utilized for the production of silicon from sand grains. It would be worthwhile to mention that the concept of “Atmnirbhar Bharat” for the resources can be best met by exploring newer areas of material findings in light of challenges for the country to become the third largest economy in the world. Dr Vibhuti Rai and Namrata Singh of the Council of Science and Technology, Uttar Pradesh are working on it through the government-sponsored project on the extraction of Silicon from rocks of the Bundelkhand region and Prayagraj area.
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