Formation of VI-B Group Metal Silicides from Molten Salts

摘要

Transition metal disilicides demonstrate exceptional properties at elevated temperatures: high electrical conductivity, temperature stability, strength, and corrosion resistance. Such specific properties of disilicides are due to their crystal structure and the presence of covalent bonds M-Si and Si-Si in their structure [1]. Because of its unique properties, disilicides of VI-B group became the most intensively investigated transition metal silicides. For example, CrSi_2 is a promising thermoelectric material used for energy conversion at high temperature [2] or as anode material for Li-ion batteries [3]. Due to low density, MoSi_2 is one of the lightweight refractory materials for the aerospace engine [4]. The nanocrystal WSi_2 is used as a new nonvolatile flash memory devices (NVM) [5]. CrSi_2, MoSi_2, and WSi_2 are among the most advanced high-temperature structural materials of the next generation, especially as protective coatings for construction materials operated at high temperatures [6].