Semiconductor Materials Study Guide

Conductor

Material that allows electrical current to flow through it easily (high density of free, unbound electrons)

Insulator

Material that blocks the flow of electrical current (electrons are tightly bound to its atoms and cannot move freely)

Semiconductor

This is an electrical classification!

A material that conducts electricity better than an insulator but worse than a conductor

Metalloid

Chemical classification! Elements that have a mix of metallic and non-metallic properties

Post-Transition Metals

Properties:

always solid at room temp (except Mercury)

Shiny and metallic

Soft

Okayish conductors (less effective than transition metals)

Nonmetals

can be gases, liquids, or brittle solids

dull and non-reflective when solid

excellent insulators (except for carbon when it is graphite)

Silicon

Symbol: Si

Element Type: Metalloid (Semiconductor)

Germanium

Symbol: Ge

Element Type: Metalloid (Semiconductor)

Gallium

Symbol: Ga

Element Type : Post-transition metal

Arsenic

Symbol: As

Element Type: metalloid

Phosphorus

Symbol: P

Element Type: nonmetal

Insulator

Antimony

Symbol: Sb

Element Type: metalloid

Boron

Symbol: B

Element Type: metalloid

Indium

Symbol: In

Element Type: post-transition metal

Copper

Symbol: Cu

Element Type: Metal

Conductor

Silver

Symbol: Ag

Element Type: Metal

Conductor

Gold

Symbol: Au

Element Type: Metal

Conductor

Aluminium

Symbol: Al

Element Type: Metal

Conductor

Salt Water

Electrolyte solution —> conducts through moving ions instead of free electrons

Gallium Nitride

Symbol: GaN

Element Type: insulator

Silicon Dioxide

Symbol: SiO2

Element Type: insulator

Silicon Carbide

Symbol: SiC

Element Type: insulator

Other Insulators

Rubber, Glass, Plastic, Ceramics, Air