SiBr4

Silicon tetrabromide · Tetrabromosilane

Silicon tetrabromide is a stable, insulating silicon-halogen compound used primarily as a chemical precursor and research material.

Crystal structure of SiBr4
Ground-state structure · Materials Project
Overview

About Silicon tetrabromide

Silicon tetrabromide is a thermodynamically stable inorganic compound characterized by its insulating electronic nature. As a member of the silicon-based materials family, it represents a distinct chemical configuration that sits securely on the convex hull, indicating robust stability in its structural formation. Its unique bonding environment makes it a subject of interest for researchers investigating the fundamental properties of silicon-halogen interactions. The compound is frequently studied for its chemical reactivity and its potential as a precursor in the synthesis of advanced silicon-containing materials. Its insulating character distinguishes it from the metallic or semi-metallic silicides often found in high-performance anode applications, providing a different pathway for material design.

At a glance

Key Properties

Cross-validated computational properties for Silicon tetrabromide, aggregated across 3 databases.

Band Gap

4.11 eV
Range across DFT structures

Energy Above Hull

0.000 eV/atom
Best (lowest) across sources

Stability

On hull (stable)
2 DFT sources

Structures

25
3 databases, 10 space groups
Uses

Applications

Where Silicon tetrabromide is used.

Chemical vapor deposition precursorSynthesis of silicon-based materialsSemiconductor manufacturing research
Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Silicon tetrabromide, answered from cross-validated data.

What is SiBr4?

Silicon tetrabromide is a stable, insulating silicon-halogen compound used primarily as a chemical precursor and research material.

More questions
What is SiBr4 used for?
Silicon tetrabromide (SiBr4) is used in chemical vapor deposition precursor, synthesis of silicon-based materials, and semiconductor manufacturing research.
What is the band gap of SiBr4?
Silicon tetrabromide (SiBr4) has a DFT-computed band gap of 4.11 eV across 25 reported structures.
Is SiBr4 a metal, semiconductor, or insulator?
With a wide band gap up to 4.11 eV it is an insulator / wide-band-gap material.
Is SiBr4 thermodynamically stable?
Yes — Silicon tetrabromide (SiBr4) sits on the convex hull (energy above hull 0 eV/atom), i.e. on hull (stable).
How many polymorphs of SiBr4 are known?
25 structures of SiBr4 are reported across 3 databases, spanning 10 distinct space groups.
What elements does SiBr4 contain?
Silicon tetrabromide (SiBr4) contains Br and Si (2 elements).
Where does the data for SiBr4 come from?
SiBr4 data is cross-referenced from latticegraph.
Comparison

How It Compares

Within the silicon anode materials class.

Unlike the metallic silicides such as FeSi or MoSi2, which are prized for their conductive properties in anode applications, silicon tetrabromide acts as a wide-gap insulator. While elemental silicon serves as the primary benchmark for capacity in this class, SiBr4 offers a chemically distinct structural framework that contrasts with the more traditional metallic or semi-metallic silicon compounds like Mg2Si or BaSi2.

Explore

Related Compounds

Other Silicon Anode Materials in the database.

Data sources & attribution
  • latticegraph — Lattice Graph Materials Intelligence Platform

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