Strontium disilicide is a binary inorganic compound of strontium and silicon with the chemical formula .
Synthesis Synthesis of strontium disilicide can be by fusion of strontium oxide or strontium carbonate with silicon, or silicon oxide and with coal:
Physical properties Strontium disilicide forms silver-gray crystals of the cubic system, space group P4132. 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.
Chemical properties Water decomposes the compound:
Also, the compound reacts with mineral acids.
Uses 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.
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