The world is run on semiconductors. The chips are made from silicon wafers. The silicon wafers are made from silica/sand. Silica is another name for the chemical compound composed of silicon and oxygen with the chemical formula SiO2, or silicon dioxide. There are many forms of silica. All silica forms are identical in chemical composition, but have different atom arrangements. It can be found naturally in abundant amount as sand and is a raw material for many useful chemicals like silicone and silicates. Silica is divided into two main groups, crystalline silica and amorphous silica (non-crystalline silica). The most common type of crystalline silica is quartz. Other types also exist, but they are less common. Silica compounds are found throughout the environment in rocks, sand, clay, soil, air, and water.

Silicon is produced throughout the world, but the following countries supply the majority of it: China, Russia, Brazil, Norway, United States, France, Malaysia. China is the biggest producer, responsible for mining 5,400,000 tons of the substance each year. India is endowed with sufficiently large reserves of silica minerals. It is estimated that the total reserves of silica minerals are in the order of 1,350 million tonnes. The states where Silica sand is majorly produced include Gujarat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh,West Bengal, Tamil Nadu.

Silica is melted in a furnace at around 1,700 °C and is reacted with carbon to produce impure silicon. The high-quality silicon in chips is made by melting chemically purified silicon and letting it recrystallize slowly. One of the most important things that silicon-producing countries need is water. The process of making it ready for use involves a vast amount of water, which means that droughts can have a negative impact on silicon production.

There are many different substances that can be used to produce wafers. These substances include: Gallium, Arsenide, Germanium, Indium Phosphide, Sapphire, Quartz.

Silicon, is not just used for electronics, but is also used in the production of steel, cement, glass and more. The most commonly used bulk gases in semiconductor manufacturing are nitrogen, helium, hydrogen and argon. Chemicals such as trichloroethylene, acetone, isopropanol, and other alcohols such as denatured ethanol are also used. The other important chemicals used are Cyclohexanone CAS NO. 108–94-1, Propylene glycol Monomethyl ether CAS NO. 107–98-2, Vitreous CAS NO. 676–86-0, Carbon black CAS NO. 1333–86-4, Gamma-butyrolactone CAS NO. 96–48-0, Sulfuric acid CAS NO. 7664–93-9

On another note, there is an event coming up on June 30, 2023. The Chemical Conclave Revolution towards Sustainable India to be held at Nariman Point, Mumbai. Please go to our events section for more information.