AN ELECTROCHEMICAL ROUTE TO SOLAR GRADE SILICON

摘要

A new, electrochemical process for the production of Si is described. The process involves dissolution of SiO_2 in a CaCl_2-based melt with subsequent electrolysis. The purity of the deposited Si is acceptable with regards to B for the use as solar grade Si. The deposited Si contained some P probably originating from the raw materials used. The dissolution of SiO_2 in CaCl_2-CaO based melts has been studied and SiO_2 is found to dissolve only slightly in CaCl_2.