Holmium disilicide

Holmium disilicide

Names
Other names Holmium silicide, holmium(II) silicide
Identifiers
CAS Number	12136-24-2  Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	129556649
EC Number	235-226-0
PubChem CID	102601513
InChI InChI=1S/Ho.Si2/c;1-2 Key: UZIXUMDZCLDXCV-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES [Si]#[Si].[Ho]
Properties
Chemical formula	HoSi2
Molar mass	221.100 g·mol−1
Appearance	dark gray cristals
Density	7.1 g/cm3
Structure
Crystal structure	Hexagonal [1]
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Holmium disilicide is a binary inorganic compound of holmium and silicon with the chemical formula HoSi₂. ^[2] It belongs to the class of rare-earth metal silicides, which are widely studied for their unique electronic, magnetic, and thermal properties. ^[3] These materials find niche applications in semiconductor technology, high-temperature alloys, and solid-state physics. ^[4]

Synthesis

Holmium disilicide is typically synthesized using high-temperature methods. Elemental holmium and silicon are mixed and heated under inert atmosphere (e.g., argon) at temperatures above 1000 °C.

Physical properties

The compound typically appears as a dark gray or black metallic powder or crystalline solid, depending on synthesis method and purity. ^[4] HoSi₂ exhibits a hexagonal crystal structure, space group P6/mmm. ^{[5] [6]}

Uses

While not widely used in commercial applications, holmium disilicide is of interest in several specialized fields. It is studied for its magnetic phase transitions and electronic structure, especially in relation to other heavy rare-earth silicides. It is also investigated for thermoelectric potential, where its layered structure may enable efficient heat-to-electricity conversion. It is also considered for use in high-temperature contacts and silicide-based gate electrodes in microelectronics due to its stability and conductivity. ^[7]

References

1. Yaws, Carl L. (6 January 2015). The Yaws Handbook of Physical Properties for Hydrocarbons and Chemicals: Physical Properties for More Than 54,000 Organic and Inorganic Chemical Compounds, Coverage for C1 to C100 Organics and Ac to Zr Inorganics. Gulf Professional Publishing. p. 718. ISBN   978-0-12-801146-1 . Retrieved 26 June 2025.
2. "Holmium Silicide | CAS 12136-24-2 | HoSi2 | AMERICAN ELEMENTS ®". American Elements . Retrieved 26 June 2025.
3. Sicius, Hermann (28 October 2024). Handbook of the Chemical Elements. Springer Nature. p. 963. ISBN   978-3-662-68921-9 . Retrieved 26 June 2025.
4. "Holmium Silicide Powder (HoSi2)". samaterials.com. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
5. Donnay, Joseph Désiré Hubert (1973). Crystal Data: Inorganic compounds. National Bureau of Standards. p. H-117. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
6. Lide, David R. (29 June 2004). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 85th Edition. CRC Press. p. 460. ISBN   978-0-8493-0485-9 . Retrieved 26 June 2025.
7. Goncharuk, L. V.; Sidorko, V. R.; Buyanov, Yu. I. (1 March 2011). "Thermodynamic properties of holmium silicides HoSi1−x, Ho5Si4, AND Ho5Si3" . Powder Metallurgy and Metal Ceramics. 49 (11): 690–694. doi:10.1007/s11106-011-9289-x. ISSN   1573-9066 . Retrieved 26 June 2025.