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Solar-grade silicon production by metallothermic reduction

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Abstract

Various types of processes for solargrade silicon (SOG-Si) production/purification have been developed with the aim of overcoming the low productivity of the Siemens process. These processes can be divided into three groups: decomposition and/or hydrogen reduction of silane gases by improving the currently used commercial processes; purification of metallurgical-grade silicon using metallurgical purification methods; and metallothermic reduction of silicon halides by metal reductants such as zinc and aluminum. This paper reviews the features of various SOG-Si production processes, particularly the processes based on metallothermic reduction, by classifying them according to the types of reductants and the silicon compounds used. Prospects for development of new processes for producing high-purity silicon are presented.

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Author notes

  1. Kouji Yasuda

    Present address: Osaka Titanium Technologies Co., Ltd., 1 Higashihama-cho, Amagasaki, Hyogo, 660-8533, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Industrial Science, the University of Tokyo, Fw-301, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8505, Japan

    Kouji Yasuda & Toru H. Okabe

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  1. Kouji Yasuda
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  2. Toru H. Okabe
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Correspondence to Toru H. Okabe.

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Yasuda, K., Okabe, T.H. Solar-grade silicon production by metallothermic reduction. JOM 62, 94–101 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-010-0190-8

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