WO2011001919A1 - シリコンの製造方法、シリコンおよび太陽電池用パネル - Google Patents
シリコンの製造方法、シリコンおよび太陽電池用パネル Download PDFInfo
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- WO2011001919A1 WO2011001919A1 PCT/JP2010/060903 JP2010060903W WO2011001919A1 WO 2011001919 A1 WO2011001919 A1 WO 2011001919A1 JP 2010060903 W JP2010060903 W JP 2010060903W WO 2011001919 A1 WO2011001919 A1 WO 2011001919A1
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- Prior art keywords
- silicon
- molten
- molten salt
- impurities
- ppm
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- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims abstract description 289
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 289
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 55
- XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicon Chemical compound [Si] XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 287
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 claims abstract description 186
- 239000012535 impurity Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 119
- PUZPDOWCWNUUKD-UHFFFAOYSA-M sodium fluoride Chemical group [F-].[Na+] PUZPDOWCWNUUKD-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims description 92
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 61
- 239000007791 liquid phase Substances 0.000 claims description 55
- 239000011775 sodium fluoride Substances 0.000 claims description 43
- 235000013024 sodium fluoride Nutrition 0.000 claims description 43
- ZOXJGFHDIHLPTG-UHFFFAOYSA-N Boron Chemical compound [B] ZOXJGFHDIHLPTG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 41
- 229910052796 boron Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 41
- 239000011734 sodium Substances 0.000 claims description 30
- 238000001704 evaporation Methods 0.000 claims description 21
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 20
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 claims description 19
- 238000003756 stirring Methods 0.000 claims description 16
- 230000006698 induction Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M Ilexoside XXIX Chemical compound C[C@@H]1CC[C@@]2(CC[C@@]3(C(=CC[C@H]4[C@]3(CC[C@@H]5[C@@]4(CC[C@@H](C5(C)C)OS(=O)(=O)[O-])C)C)[C@@H]2[C@]1(C)O)C)C(=O)O[C@H]6[C@@H]([C@H]([C@@H]([C@H](O6)CO)O)O)O.[Na+] DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000007795 chemical reaction product Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000002131 composite material Chemical class 0.000 claims description 10
- 229910052708 sodium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 10
- 229910052783 alkali metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 9
- 150000001340 alkali metals Chemical class 0.000 claims description 9
- 229910052784 alkaline earth metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 9
- 150000001342 alkaline earth metals Chemical class 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000007664 blowing Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000012159 carrier gas Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 230000008020 evaporation Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000011261 inert gas Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- -1 alkali metal halide salts Chemical class 0.000 claims description 8
- 229910001610 cryolite Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 7
- 229910052736 halogen Chemical class 0.000 claims description 7
- 150000002367 halogens Chemical class 0.000 claims description 7
- OYLGJCQECKOTOL-UHFFFAOYSA-L barium fluoride Chemical compound [F-].[F-].[Ba+2] OYLGJCQECKOTOL-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910001632 barium fluoride Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910001615 alkaline earth metal halide Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- WDIHJSXYQDMJHN-UHFFFAOYSA-L barium chloride Chemical compound [Cl-].[Cl-].[Ba+2] WDIHJSXYQDMJHN-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910001626 barium chloride Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910001508 alkali metal halide Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- SCWWYQXYCQMLOY-UHFFFAOYSA-N silicon(2+) Chemical compound [Si+2] SCWWYQXYCQMLOY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 39
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 39
- XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Argon Chemical compound [Ar] XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 34
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 31
- OAICVXFJPJFONN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Phosphorus Chemical compound [P] OAICVXFJPJFONN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 30
- 229910052698 phosphorus Inorganic materials 0.000 description 30
- 239000011574 phosphorus Substances 0.000 description 30
- 239000010936 titanium Substances 0.000 description 19
- 229910052786 argon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 17
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 description 17
- 239000002994 raw material Substances 0.000 description 15
- 239000011575 calcium Substances 0.000 description 14
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 13
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 13
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 13
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 11
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 11
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 11
- RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titanium Chemical compound [Ti] RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 10
- 229910002804 graphite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 10
- 239000010439 graphite Substances 0.000 description 10
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 10
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 10
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 10
- 229910052719 titanium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 10
- 229910016036 BaF 2 Inorganic materials 0.000 description 9
- 238000000746 purification Methods 0.000 description 9
- OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N Calcium Chemical compound [Ca] OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 8
- 229910052791 calcium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 8
- 239000000376 reactant Substances 0.000 description 7
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 6
- KRHYYFGTRYWZRS-UHFFFAOYSA-M Fluoride anion Chemical compound [F-] KRHYYFGTRYWZRS-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 5
- 239000000155 melt Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000012071 phase Substances 0.000 description 5
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Chemical compound O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- FAPWRFPIFSIZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-M Sodium chloride Chemical compound [Na+].[Cl-] FAPWRFPIFSIZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 4
- NROKBHXJSPEDAR-UHFFFAOYSA-M potassium fluoride Chemical compound [F-].[K+] NROKBHXJSPEDAR-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 4
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- WCUXLLCKKVVCTQ-UHFFFAOYSA-M Potassium chloride Chemical compound [Cl-].[K+] WCUXLLCKKVVCTQ-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 3
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000011810 insulating material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920001296 polysiloxane Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000008023 solidification Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000007711 solidification Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229910020808 NaBF Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000002585 base Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000005587 bubbling Effects 0.000 description 2
- WUKWITHWXAAZEY-UHFFFAOYSA-L calcium difluoride Chemical compound [F-].[F-].[Ca+2] WUKWITHWXAAZEY-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 2
- UBAZGMLMVVQSCD-UHFFFAOYSA-N carbon dioxide;molecular oxygen Chemical compound O=O.O=C=O UBAZGMLMVVQSCD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000005266 casting Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000354 decomposition reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000009616 inductively coupled plasma Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000002893 slag Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011780 sodium chloride Substances 0.000 description 2
- KLZUFWVZNOTSEM-UHFFFAOYSA-K Aluminium flouride Chemical compound F[Al](F)F KLZUFWVZNOTSEM-UHFFFAOYSA-K 0.000 description 1
- UXVMQQNJUSDDNG-UHFFFAOYSA-L Calcium chloride Chemical compound [Cl-].[Cl-].[Ca+2] UXVMQQNJUSDDNG-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- PXGOKWXKJXAPGV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Fluorine Chemical compound FF PXGOKWXKJXAPGV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- ZLMJMSJWJFRBEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Potassium Chemical compound [K] ZLMJMSJWJFRBEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000003513 alkali Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052788 barium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- DSAJWYNOEDNPEQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N barium atom Chemical compound [Ba] DSAJWYNOEDNPEQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910001634 calcium fluoride Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010908 decantation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006837 decompression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005868 electrolysis reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010828 elution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002474 experimental method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052731 fluorine Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011737 fluorine Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004907 flux Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000004820 halides Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000003317 industrial substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005501 phase interface Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005191 phase separation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910021420 polycrystalline silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229920005591 polysilicon Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229910052700 potassium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011591 potassium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000001103 potassium chloride Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000011164 potassium chloride Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000011698 potassium fluoride Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000003270 potassium fluoride Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000001737 promoting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000035484 reaction time Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007670 refining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005204 segregation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007086 side reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000003376 silicon Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000000377 silicon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000012239 silicon dioxide Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- ABTOQLMXBSRXSM-UHFFFAOYSA-N silicon tetrafluoride Chemical compound F[Si](F)(F)F ABTOQLMXBSRXSM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000011863 silicon-based powder Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010802 sludge Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002344 surface layer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003039 volatile agent Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
- C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
- C01B33/00—Silicon; Compounds thereof
- C01B33/02—Silicon
- C01B33/037—Purification
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- B01J19/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
- B01J19/24—Stationary reactors without moving elements inside
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
- C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
- C01B33/00—Silicon; Compounds thereof
- C01B33/02—Silicon
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
- C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
- C03B5/00—Melting in furnaces; Furnaces so far as specially adapted for glass manufacture
- C03B5/06—Melting in furnaces; Furnaces so far as specially adapted for glass manufacture in pot furnaces
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
- H01L31/04—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
- H01L31/18—Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment of these devices or of parts thereof
- H01L31/1804—Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment of these devices or of parts thereof comprising only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System
- H01L31/182—Special manufacturing methods for polycrystalline Si, e.g. Si ribbon, poly Si ingots, thin films of polycrystalline Si
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy
- Y02E10/546—Polycrystalline silicon PV cells
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P70/00—Climate change mitigation technologies in the production process for final industrial or consumer products
- Y02P70/50—Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a method for producing silicon used as a material for producing, for example, a solar cell panel.
- Polysilicon solar cells generally use high-purity metallic silicon having a specific resistance of 0.5 to 1.5 ⁇ ⁇ cm or more and a purity of 99.9999% (6N) or more. It is most desirable as an industrial method to manufacture this high-purity metallic silicon by purifying and removing impurities from raw-material metallic silicon containing many impurities whose raw material unit price is low.
- iron, aluminum and calcium can be removed to the molten silicon liquid phase side by solidifying and segregating the molten silicon.
- Calcium and the like can be removed although it takes a long time by evaporating the molten silicon in a vacuum of about 1.3 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 2 to 10 ⁇ 4 Pa (10 ⁇ 4 to 10 ⁇ 6 Torr). it can.
- Patent Document 1 Patent Document 2
- slag mainly composed of silicon dioxide in raw metal silicon
- silicon is used for component adjustment when removing impurities.
- Patent Document 3 Although satisfactory-purity silicon has not necessarily been obtained.
- Patent Document 4 20 g of raw material metal silicon powder is pulverized and mixed with NaF having the same particle size at a weight ratio of 1: 1.
- Second sample heated at 1450 ° C. for 10 minutes to melt NaF and source metal silicon, cooling these samples (NaF and silicon) to room temperature, aqueous elution and subsequent decantation ) And filtering the silicon from NaF in each sample is described.
- Patent Document 4 merely describes a method of purifying silicon by separating silicon from solids containing NaF and raw metal silicon using filtration or the like, and has a purification effect. There was a problem that it was not sufficient and the work of separating silicon was not easy.
- the present invention solves the problems in the prior art described above, and impurities such as boron (B), phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), aluminum (Al), and titanium (Ti) from raw metal silicon It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for producing silicon, which can be efficiently removed at the same time in the same process in a short time to obtain high-purity metallic silicon.
- the present invention brings silicon (hereinafter also referred to as molten silicon containing impurities) and molten salt into contact with each other in a container, and melts the raw metal silicon.
- impurities such as boron (B) and phosphorus (P)
- a volatile compound containing the impurities can be dissolved in the molten salt or evaporated to a gas phase.
- the present invention has been accomplished based on these findings.
- the gist of the present invention resides in the following (1) to (16).
- (1) Silicon comprising a step of bringing molten silicon containing impurities into contact with molten salt in a container, reacting impurities in molten silicon with molten salt, and removing the impurities out of the system Manufacturing method.
- (2) The step of removing impurities out of the system is a step of evaporating and removing a reaction product obtained by reacting an impurity in molten silicon with a molten salt. Silicon manufacturing method.
- silicone as described in any one.
- the molten salt is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal halide salts, alkaline earth metal halide salts, composite salts containing alkali metals and halogens, and composite salts containing alkaline earth metals and halogens. 8.
- the molten salt contains sodium fluoride (NaF), sodium silicofluoride (Na 2 SiF 6 ), cryolite (Na 3 AlF 6 ), a mixture of sodium fluoride and barium fluoride, and sodium fluoride and fluoride.
- (14) The material according to any one of (1) to (13) above, wherein the substance removed by the step of removing impurities out of the system is recovered, the molten salt is purified, and used again as the molten salt.
- the molten silicon containing impurities such as boron (B) and phosphorus (P) and the molten salt are brought into contact with each other in the container, so that the molten silicon liquid phase and the melting salt are equal to or higher than the melting point.
- An interface with a molten salt liquid phase (hereinafter also referred to as a molten salt liquid phase) can be formed, and impurities in the molten silicon can be reacted with the molten salt through the interface.
- the impurities in the molten silicon are reacted with the molten salt through the interface between the molten silicon and the molten salt, so that the impurities are dissolved in the molten salt, or through the interface between the molten silicon and the molten salt.
- the reactant produced by the reaction is dissolved in the molten salt, or the reactant is a compound having a high vapor pressure (hereinafter referred to as a compound containing impurities).
- the impurities can be efficiently removed from the molten silicon by evaporating with the molten salt.
- the compound containing the impurities dissolved in the molten salt can be removed together with the molten salt by evaporating and removing the molten salt.
- a small amount of alkali metal or alkaline earth metal in the molten salt is taken into the molten silicon, and these are processed in subsequent processes such as unidirectional solidification and vacuum. It can be easily removed by heat treatment or the like.
- the silicon production method of the present invention can efficiently remove impurities such as boron (B) and phosphorus (P) from the raw metal silicon. According to the silicon production method of the present invention, high-purity metal silicon of 6N level or higher can be obtained quickly at low cost, and its industrial value is extremely large.
- molten silicon obtained by melting raw material metal silicon containing impurities and a molten salt are contacted in a container, the impurities in the molten silicon are reacted with the molten salt, and the impurities are removed from the system.
- a removal step hereinafter also referred to as a removal step.
- molten silicon containing impurities By bringing the molten silicon containing impurities into contact with the molten salt in a container (crucible), an interface between the molten silicon liquid phase and the molten salt liquid phase can be formed, and the impurities in the molten silicon react with the molten salt. Can be made.
- the reactant produced by the reaction is dissolved in the molten salt or evaporated together with the molten salt as a compound having a high vapor pressure as the reactant. Impurities can be removed from the molten silicon.
- the added molten salt can also be removed by evaporation, only purified silicon can be recovered.
- the raw metal silicon is silicon containing, for example, boron (B), phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti) and the like as impurities.
- boron (B) and phosphorus (P) can be particularly preferably removed from the impurities.
- the total concentration of impurities in the raw metal silicon is usually preferably 10 to 50 ppm, more preferably about 10 to 30 ppm on a mass basis.
- the total concentration of impurities in the raw metal silicon is preferably as low as possible, but since the raw metal silicon containing impurities in the above concentration range can be obtained by ordinary arc carbon reduction, the cost is low and it is preferable as a raw material.
- the molten salt melts at the melting temperature of the raw metal silicon and forms an interface between the molten silicon liquid phase and the molten salt liquid phase, thereby reacting with impurities such as boron and phosphorus in the molten silicon.
- the compound is not particularly limited as long as it is a compound that can be evaporated in a phase or dissolved in a molten salt and evaporated together with impurities.
- the molten salt include halide salts of alkali metals such as sodium fluoride (NaF), potassium fluoride (KF), sodium chloride (NaCl) and potassium chloride (KCl); calcium fluoride ( CaF 2 ), alkaline earth metal halide salts such as barium fluoride (BaF 2 ), calcium chloride (CaCl 2 ), and barium chloride (BaCl 2 ); sodium silicofluoride (Na 2 SiF 6 ), cryolite ( Na 3 AlF 6 ), thiolite (Na 5 Al 3 F 14 ), composite salts containing alkali metals such as KAlCl 4 and NaAlCl 4 and halogens; composites containing alkaline earth metals such as BaCaCl 4 and MgCaF 4 and halogens Examples include salts. Among these, those containing fluorine as halogen are preferable.
- sodium silicofluoride (Na 2 SiF 6 ) is a composite salt of sodium fluoride (NaF) and silicon fluoride (SiF 4 ).
- Cryolite (Na 3 AlF 6 ) is a composite salt of sodium fluoride (NaF) and aluminum fluoride (AlF 3 ).
- sodium fluoride NaF
- sodium silicofluoride Na 2 SiF 6
- cryolite Na 3 AlF 6
- sodium fluoride and fluoride Preferred examples include a mixture of barium and barium chloride.
- sodium silicofluoride (Na 2 SiF 6 ) decomposes to generate SiF 4 (gas) and reacts with impurities, and this is particularly preferable because silicon loss is eliminated.
- potassium fluoride KF
- potassium cryolite K 3 AlF 6
- a compound of potassium fluoride and calcium fluoride molar ratio 1: 1 are preferable.
- cryolite (Na 3 AlF 6 ) used for aluminum electrolysis is easily available and industrially easy to use at low cost.
- molten salt liquid phase when the molten salt liquid phase is formed on the molten silicon liquid phase, a molten salt having a density lower than that of silicon (Si) is preferable.
- the molten salt include alkali metal halide salts.
- molten salt liquid phase when the molten salt liquid phase is formed under the molten silicon liquid phase, a molten salt having a higher density than silicon is preferable.
- the molten salt include a halide salt of an alkaline earth metal.
- the impurities in the molten salt are low, the impurities are often halogenated, and at the processing temperature, most of them will evaporate, so there is no problem. Therefore, it is possible to use a normal industrial chemical as the molten salt.
- the amount of sodium fluoride used is usually preferably 5% by weight or more with respect to the amount of other molten salt used (total amount), 10 weight% or more is more preferable, and 20 weight% or more is especially preferable. Further, it is usually preferably 300% by weight or less, more preferably 100% by weight or less, and particularly preferably 50% by weight or less.
- the amount of molten salt used is usually preferably 5% by weight or more, more preferably 10% by weight or more, further preferably 20% by weight or more, and particularly preferably 30% by weight or more based on the raw metal silicon. Further, it is usually preferably 300% by weight or less, more preferably 100% by weight or less, and particularly preferably 50% by weight or less.
- a sufficient purification effect can be obtained by setting the amount of molten salt used to 5% by weight or more. Moreover, by making the usage-amount of molten salt into 300 weight% or less, it can prevent that a molten salt reacts with silicon (Si) and the yield of silicon (Si) falls.
- the raw metal silicon and the molten salt may be heated and melted at the same time after mixing the raw metal silicon and the molten salt, or after only the raw metal silicon is heated and melted, the molten salt may be added. Further, the molten salt may be mixed as necessary, cooled after heating and melting, and converted into a flux.
- the temperature at which the raw material metal silicon and the molten salt are heated and melted is preferably a melting point of silicon (1410 ° C.) or higher, more preferably 1450 ° C. or higher.
- the upper limit of the temperature is usually preferably 2400 ° C. or less, and more preferably 2000 ° C. or less.
- an interface between the molten silicon liquid phase and the molten salt liquid phase can be formed by bringing the molten silicon in which the raw metal silicon is melted into contact with the molten salt.
- the impurities in the molten silicon and the molten salt can be reacted via the interface between the molten silicon liquid phase and the molten salt liquid phase, and the impurities can be vaporized or transferred to the molten salt.
- the molten silicon gas is melted by acting on the molten silicon with the gas from which the molten salt has evaporated or the decomposition product gas formed by partial decomposition of the composite compound through the interface between the molten silicon liquid phase and the molten salt liquid phase. Impurities in silicon and molten salt can be reacted.
- the reaction treatment time that is, the contact time between the molten silicon and the molten salt is usually preferably 0.1 hours or more, more preferably 0.25 hours or more, and particularly preferably 0.5 hours or more. Moreover, usually 3 hours or less are preferable, 2 hours or less are more preferable, and 1 hour or less are more preferable.
- the pressure at the time of evaporation removal is usually preferably atmospheric pressure, and in some cases, the pressure is preferably reduced to about 10 ⁇ 4 Pa.
- the specific gravity of the molten salt is smaller than the specific gravity of the molten silicon and the molten salt liquid phase is formed on the molten silicon liquid phase, it is usually preferable to be atmospheric pressure.
- an inert gas such as argon
- argon an inert gas such as argon
- evaporation removal may be restarted after mechanically removing a part of the molten salt liquid phase containing impurities on the upper side of the molten silicon liquid phase.
- the impurity concentration in the molten silicon is reduced to a desired value by reacting the impurities in the molten silicon with the molten salt to remove impurities, only silicon from the middle or bottom of the container May be recovered.
- the container containing the molten silicon and molten salt that has been heated and melted is tilted, the contents are transferred to another container, and when left standing, the molten silicon and the molten salt separate into two phases. Silicon can also be recovered. In this case, when the recovered silicon contains a molten salt, the molten salt is preferably removed by evaporation thereafter.
- the specific gravity of the molten salt is larger than the specific gravity of silicon and the molten salt liquid phase is formed under the molten silicon liquid phase, that is, the vapor pressure of the alkaline earth metal halide salt having a large specific gravity is low, so that it is about 100 Pa.
- the pressure is reduced, the molten salt evaporates and the molten silicon can be bubbled, thereby promoting the reaction.
- the temperature range of the molten silicon liquid phase and the molten salt liquid phase at the time of removing under reduced pressure is the same as the temperature range in which the raw metal silicon and the molten salt are melted by heating.
- Reaction of impurities and molten salt by creating a flow of molten silicon at the interface between the molten silicon liquid phase and the molten salt liquid phase by, for example, any one method selected from the following (i) to (vi)
- the compound of the impurity which is a reaction product of the impurity and the molten salt, can be more efficiently removed.
- the flow of molten silicon preferably means that the boundary layer functioning as a reaction field formed in the vicinity of the interface between the molten silicon liquid phase and the molten salt liquid phase is relatively thinned, and is thus configured.
- the reaction between the impurities and the molten salt can be promoted more efficiently.
- (Iii) A method in which the molten salt in the upper layer is mechanically pushed into the molten silicon layer in the lower layer.
- the mechanical pushing means that the molten salt in the upper layer is pushed into the molten silicon layer in the lower layer using a mechanical means such as a concave jig made of graphite.
- the flow of the surface of the molten silicon is caused to flow in the radial direction from the center of the container to the outer peripheral portion by induction stirring, and the molten salt is A method of causing the flow of the surface layer portion to flow radially from the center of the container to the outer peripheral portion. According to this method, a flow from the outer periphery of the container toward the center is induced in the molten salt at the boundary between the molten silicon and the molten salt, and flows in opposite directions at the interface between the molten silicon liquid phase and the molten salt liquid phase. Can produce.
- the inside of the container is evacuated to remove the remaining molten salt and solidify the molten silicon, whereby high-purity silicon can be obtained. Further, when solidifying molten silicon, so-called unidirectional solidification is performed, and remaining molten salt and impurities are removed by segregation, whereby higher purity silicon can be obtained.
- Alkali metal and alkaline earth metal can be removed by a commonly used method known per se.
- a unidirectional solidification method a method in which an inert carrier gas or an inert carrier gas is added with oxygen, carbon dioxide, or water vapor is brought into contact with the molten silicon liquid phase surface, and the gas is blown into the molten silicon liquid phase.
- a method of evaporating and removing alkali metals and alkaline earth metals in a high vacuum evaporating and removing alkali metals and alkaline earth metals in a high vacuum.
- the carrier gas for example, an inert gas such as argon gas can be used.
- the carrier gas is not limited to this as long as desired silicon can be obtained.
- the method of the present invention uses a silicon purifier that has a container for dissolving raw metal silicon and molten salt, and can be filled with an inert gas atmosphere such as argon in a reduced pressure state or an atmospheric pressure state. Can be done.
- an inert gas atmosphere such as argon in a reduced pressure state or an atmospheric pressure state.
- the apparatus used in the method for producing high-purity silicon of the present invention includes a container that can be sealed in an inert gas atmosphere such as argon from a high vacuum state, a crucible installed in the container, a coil that heats the crucible at high frequency, or It is preferable to include heaters capable of resistance heating and their power sources.
- a device for stirring the inside of the crucible with graphite wings or blowing argon gas into the molten silicon and a device for adding molten salt, raw metal silicon and the like.
- the molten salt used has a high vapor pressure, it is possible to prevent the molten salt from evaporating and to increase the reaction time with the molten silicon by installing an inner lid in the container or a lid at the mouth of the container. It is also preferable to reduce the amount of molten salt used.
- Al aluminum
- Al + 6NaF Na 3 AlF 6 + 3Na
- the reactant is preferably removed from the system by sucking the reactant together with a carrier gas such as argon gas from a crucible.
- molten salt for example, it is preferable to add molten salt to molten silicon as appropriate and remove the reaction product by continuous suction removal. As a result, as little molten salt as possible is used, and purification can be performed in a short time.
- the purity of silicon can be improved by adding the molten salt again and performing the removing step again.
- the molten salt removed in the removing step can be recovered and purified by a known method, and then used again as a molten salt.
- impurities such as phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), aluminum (Al), and titanium (Ti) are also removed from the molten silicon in the same process.
- the impurity is a fluoride compound with a high vapor pressure. Can be removed.
- SiF 4 is a gas
- Na 2 SiF 6 is mechanically pushed into the Si melt because the gas reacts with impurities in the melt.
- the reaction between NaF and molten silicon liquid phase (Si) is suppressed, there is an advantage that the yield of silicon to be purified is improved.
- the molten salt can be placed as a mixed salt of NaF and BaF 2 under the molten silicon.
- the mixed salt of NaF and BaF 2 is larger than about 2.6, which is the specific gravity of liquid silicon, and sinks under the liquid silicon when BaF 2 is 40 mol% or more in composition.
- reaction is preferably carried out usually at 0.5 to 2 atm.
- the reaction is evaporated by applying a vacuum of about 130 to 13 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 3 Pa (1 to 10 ⁇ 5 Torr). It is preferable to make it. By doing so, the melt is only silicon and can be easily recovered by casting into a mold.
- FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of an example of a high-purity metal silicon production apparatus that can be used in the present invention.
- This apparatus includes a sealable chamber 7, a crucible 3 disposed therein, an induction heating coil 4, a heat insulating material 8, a crucible support base 10, a mold 9 for casting silicon, and the like.
- Metallic silicon 1 and molten salt 2 are placed in a crucible 3 in the form of liquid phase separation.
- a gas inlet 11, an air outlet 12, a raw material inlet 6 and the like are attached to the sealable chamber 7, and the inside of the chamber 7 is about 0.01 to 2 ⁇ 10 5 Pa (vacuum to 2 atm). It is possible to control up to the pressure range.
- the induction coil 4 for heating, the heat insulating material 8 and the crucible 3 can be tilted integrally, and the processed raw metal silicon 1 is poured into the mold 9.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of another example of a high-purity silicon production apparatus that can be used in the present invention.
- a method of stirring the liquid phase using the stirring plate 13 instead of gas blowing is described, but the other parts are almost the same as in FIG.
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of another example of a high-purity silicon production apparatus that can be used in the present invention.
- a method of inductively stirring the silicon liquid phase using a high-frequency induction furnace instead of gas blowing is described, but the other parts are almost the same as in FIG.
- induction heating it is desirable to use a power source having a relatively low frequency, for example, about 1 to 5 KHz, because an induction current is generated in the silicon melt and a specific stirring phenomenon occurs.
- the melt can be stirred without inserting a stirring plate or the like into the silicon melt, which is preferable from the viewpoint of contamination.
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of another example of a high-purity silicon production apparatus that can be used in the present invention.
- a concave jig 13 made of graphite is used to mechanically push the molten salt in the upper layer into the molten silicon layer in the lower layer, and the molten silicon layer is formed with the gas from which the molten salt has evaporated.
- a method of stirring is described, the other parts are almost the same as those in FIG.
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of another example of a high-purity silicon production apparatus that can be used in the present invention.
- FIG. 5 shows a mode in which the molten salt 2 having a large specific gravity is located under the molten silicon in which the raw metal silicon 1 is melted. For other portions, any one of FIGS. It is almost the same.
- FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of another example of a high-purity silicon production apparatus that can be used in the present invention.
- the powder or granular molten salt is continuously supplied from the raw material input port 6 to the surface of the molten silicon, and the evaporated material is also continuously exhausted from the suction port 14 to the outside of the system.
- the other parts are almost the same as any one of FIGS.
- a cyclone for example, a cyclone, a filter, and a vacuum exhaust device (not shown) for trapping evaporated molten salt and reaction products are provided at the tip of the gas exhaust port 12 or the suction port 14. Is installed.
- the heating coil 4 is usually supplied with a high frequency current of 1 to several tens KHz from a power source (not shown), and the graphite crucible 3 or the melted silicon is caused to generate an induced current. Heating and melting and further induction stirring.
- the molten salt trapped by the cyclone usually contains a large amount of impurities such as boron and phosphorus, in order to regenerate this as a raw material, it is washed with pure water or the like, or dried, Under reduced pressure, it is preferable to bring the temperature to a melting point or lower or to melt. Accordingly, compounds containing impurities such as boron and phosphorus are generally water-soluble and have a high vapor pressure, so that they can be easily purified.
- silicon having boron and phosphorus contents of 1 ppm or less can be obtained.
- higher-purity silicon can be obtained by removing alkali metal or alkaline earth metal from this silicon as necessary.
- the impurity concentration of silicon obtained by the method of the present invention is usually preferably 1.6 ppm or less, more preferably 1.4 ppm or less, further preferably 0.38 ppm or less, and particularly preferably 0.2 ppm or less for boron (B). .
- the impurity concentration of silicon obtained by the method of the present invention is usually preferably 22 ppm or less, more preferably 11 ppm or less, further preferably 5.4 ppm or less, and particularly preferably 4 ppm or less for phosphorus (P).
- the impurity concentration of silicon obtained by the method of the present invention is generally preferably 1300 ppm or less, more preferably 88 pm or less, still more preferably 37 ppm or less, and particularly preferably 15 ppm or less for iron (Fe).
- the impurity concentration of silicon obtained by the method of the present invention is usually preferably 22 ppm or less, more preferably 15 ppm or less, further preferably 13 ppm or less, and particularly preferably 3 ppm or less for titanium (Ti).
- the impurity concentration of silicon obtained by the method of the present invention is usually preferably 20 ppm or less, more preferably 18 pm or less, further preferably 2 ppm or less, and particularly preferably 1 ppm or less for aluminum (Al).
- the impurity concentration of silicon obtained by the method of the present invention is usually preferably 22 ppm or less, more preferably 2.1 or less, further preferably 1.2 ppm or less, and particularly preferably 15 ppm or less for calcium (Ca).
- the impurity concentration in silicon can be analyzed by, for example, ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer).
- Silicon obtained by the method of the present invention may be further purified by combining other purification methods, and by processing the obtained silicon by a known method, it can be used as a silicon ingot or silicon wafer for solar cells. Also good.
- the method of the present invention can be particularly suitably used as an industrial method for producing high-purity silicon used as a material for producing solar cell panels, for example.
- the impurity concentration (ppm) in silicon is a value (weight basis) analyzed by ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer).
- the impurity concentration of the raw material metal silicon used in the examples is boron (B): 1.6 ppm, phosphorus (P): 30 ppm, iron (Fe): 95 ppm, titanium (Ti): 25 ppm, aluminum (Al): 500 ppm, calcium (Ca): 19 ppm, sodium (Na): below the detection limit.
- Example 1 The atmosphere in the chamber 7 shown in FIG. 1 is 1 atmosphere of argon gas, and 250 g and 50 g of raw material metal silicon and molten salt (NaF) for purification are placed in a graphite crucible 3 and heated to about 1550 ° C., respectively. And left standing for about 2 hours.
- the chamber 7 was evacuated to 1.3 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 1 to 1.3 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 3 Pa (10 ⁇ 3 to 10 ⁇ 5 torr) to completely evaporate NaF.
- the remaining silicon was poured into a mold 9 and solidified.
- the main impurity concentrations in the obtained silicon are boron (B): 1.4 ppm, phosphorus (P): 22 ppm, sodium (Na): 1 ppm. Both boron and phosphorus are reduced, and the concentration of sodium is also low. It was low enough.
- Example 2 The inside of the chamber 7 shown in FIG. 5 is an atmosphere of argon gas at 1 atm, and 250 g of raw metal silicon for purification and molten salt (NaF + BaF 2 : 30 g + 30 g) are placed in a graphite crucible 3 and heated to about 1550 ° C. Left for about 2 hours. In this case, since the specific gravity of the molten salt is larger, the molten silicon floats on the molten salt.
- the pressure in the chamber 7 was reduced to 1.3 ⁇ 10 3 Pa (10 torr).
- the interface between the molten silicon and the molten salt is well stirred by bubbling with a gaseous product generated just near the interface between the molten silicon and the molten salt.
- the mixture was left for about 2 hours and poured into a mold 9 to separate and solidify molten silicon and molten salt.
- the main impurity concentrations in the obtained silicon were boron (B): 1.6 ppm and phosphorus (P): 11 ppm. Phosphorus was reduced to about 1/3 of the original raw metal silicon. Boron was not purified. When the molten salt BaF 2 was analyzed, 3.3 ppm of boron was detected, and this was considered to be the reason why boron was not purified.
- Example 3 The inside of the chamber 7 shown in FIG. 5 is an atmosphere of argon gas at 1 atm, and 250 g of raw material metal silicon for purification and molten salt (NaF + BaF 2 + BaCl 2 : 30 g + 30 g + 10 g) are placed in a graphite crucible 3 and heated to about 1550 ° C. The mixture was left standing for about 2 hours.
- the molten salt has a higher specific gravity, so that the molten silicon floats on the molten salt.
- the pressure in the chamber 7 was reduced to 1.3 ⁇ 10 3 Pa (10 torr).
- the interface between the molten silicon and the molten salt is well stirred by bubbling with a gaseous product generated just near the interface between the silicon and the molten salt.
- it was allowed to stand for about 2 hours, poured into the mold 9, and silicon and molten salt were separated and solidified.
- the main impurity concentrations in the obtained silicon were boron (B): 1.4 ppm, phosphorus (P): 19 ppm, iron (Fe): 37 ppm, titanium (Ti): 15 ppm, aluminum (Al): 18 ppm, calcium (Ca): 22 ppm.
- phosphorus was reduced to about 2/3 of the original raw metal silicon.
- the purity increased from 1.6 ppm to 1.4 ppm even though the molten salt BaF 2 contained 3.3 ppm of boron.
- Aluminum was also highly purified from 500 ppm to 18 ppm. Purity also increased for impurities such as iron and titanium.
- Example 4 The inside of the chamber 7 shown in FIG. 1 is an atmosphere of argon gas at 1 atm. 250 g and 50 g of raw metal silicon and molten salt (NaF) for purification are put in a graphite crucible 3 and heated to about 1550 ° C., respectively. Further, argon gas was blown into the silicon liquid phase and stirred for about 1 hour. Thereafter, the chamber 7 was evacuated to 1.3 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 1 to 10 ⁇ 3 Pa (10 ⁇ 3 to 10 ⁇ 5 torr) to completely evaporate NaF.
- argon gas 250 g and 50 g of raw metal silicon and molten salt (NaF) for purification are put in a graphite crucible 3 and heated to about 1550 ° C., respectively. Further, argon gas was blown into the silicon liquid phase and stirred for about 1 hour. Thereafter, the chamber 7 was evacuated to 1.3 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 1 to 10 ⁇ 3 Pa (10 ⁇ 3 to 10 ⁇ 5 torr)
- the main impurity concentrations in the obtained silicon were boron (B): 0.37 ppm, phosphorus (P): 4 ppm, iron (Fe): 88 ppm, titanium (Ti): 22 ppm, aluminum (Al): 20 ppm, calcium (Ca): 21 ppm.
- the purity of boron increased significantly from 1.6 ppm to 0.37 ppm, and the purity of phosphorus increased from 30 ppm to 4 ppm.
- Example 5 The inside of the chamber 7 shown in FIG. 6 was set to an atmosphere of argon gas at 1 atm, and 6.1 kg of raw material metal silicon for purification was placed in the graphite crucible 3 and heated to about 1550 ° C.
- the main impurity concentrations of silicon used in this example are boron (B): 1.9 ppm, phosphorus (P): 4.6 ppm, iron (Fe): 1500 ppm, titanium (Ti): 11 ppm, aluminum (Al): 280 ppm, calcium (Ca): 19 ppm.
- the main impurity concentrations in the obtained silicon were boron (B): 0.38 ppm, phosphorus (P): 5.4 ppm, iron (Fe): 1300 ppm, titanium (Ti): 13 ppm, aluminum (Al): 1 ppm , Calcium (Ca): 1.2 ppm.
- the purity of boron increased significantly from 1.9 ppm to 0.38 ppm, and Al increased from 280 ppm to 1 ppm.
- the impurity concentrations of NaF used in this example are boron (B): 0.9 ppm and phosphorus (P): 1.2 ppm. From the NaF compound recovered from the cyclone after the experiment, High concentrations of impurities (B): 11 ppm and phosphorus (P): 9 ppm were detected.
- the recovered NaF compound was melted in a graphite crucible at about 1050 ° C., treated in an atmosphere of argon at 0.1 atm for about 1 hour, cooled and solidified, and impurity analysis of this sample was performed.
- the impurity concentration was greatly reduced to boron (B): 0.5 ppm and phosphorus (P): 0.6 ppm, and it was possible to purify high-purity NaF that can be reused.
- the method of the present invention can be particularly suitably used as an industrial method for producing high-purity silicon used as a material for producing a solar cell panel, for example.
Abstract
Description
(1)不純物を含む溶融シリコンと溶融塩とを容器内で接触させ、該溶融シリコン中の不純物と溶融塩とを反応させ、該不純物を系外に除去する工程を含むことを特徴とするシリコンの製造方法。
(2)不純物を系外に除去する工程が、溶融シリコン中の不純物と溶融塩とを反応させた反応物を蒸発させて除去する工程であることを特徴とする、前項(1)に記載のシリコンの製造方法。
(3)不純物を系外に除去する工程が、溶融シリコン中の不純物を系外に排気させて除去する工程であることを特徴とする、前項(1)または(2)に記載のシリコンの製造方法。
(4)不純物を系外に除去する工程が、キャリアガスとともに溶融シリコン中の不純物を系外に除去する工程であることを特徴とする、前項(1)~(3)のいずれか一項に記載のシリコンの製造方法。
(5)容器内の内部または上部に、溶融塩又は溶融シリコン中の不純物と溶融塩とを反応させた反応物の蒸発速度を制御するための蓋を設置することを特徴とする前項(1)~(4)のいずれか一項に記載のシリコンの製造方法。
(6)溶融シリコン中の不純物と溶融塩との反応が、溶融シリコン液相と溶融塩液相との界面を構成することによって行われることを特徴とする、前項(1)~(5)のいずれか一項に記載のシリコンの製造方法。
(7)溶融シリコン中の不純物が、少なくともホウ素を含むことを特徴とする、前項(1)~(6)のいずれか一項に記載のシリコンの製造方法。
(8)溶融塩が、アルカリ金属のハロゲン化物塩、アルカリ土類金属のハロゲン化物塩、アルカリ金属とハロゲンとを含む複合塩およびアルカリ土類金属とハロゲンとを含む複合塩よりなる群から選ばれる少なくとも1種の化合物を含むものであることを特徴とする、前項(1)~(7)のいずれか一項に記載のシリコンの製造方法。
(9)溶融塩が、フッ化ナトリウム(NaF)、珪フッ化ソーダ(Na2SiF6)、クリオライト(Na3AlF6)、フッ化ナトリウムとフッ化バリウムとの混合物およびフッ化ナトリウムとフッ化バリウムと塩化バリウムとの混合物よりなる群から選ばれる少なくとも1種の化合物を含むことを特徴とする、前項(1)~(8)のいずれか一項に記載のシリコンの製造方法。
(10)溶融塩の量が、溶融シリコンに対して、5重量%以上300重量%以下であることを特徴とする、前項(1)~(9)のいずれか一項に記載のシリコンの製造方法。
(11)以下の(i)から(iv)のいずれか1の方法により溶融シリコンを流動させながら溶融シリコン中の不純物と溶融塩とを反応させることを特徴とする、前項(1)~(10)のいずれか一項に記載のシリコンの製造方法。
(i)不活性ガスを溶融シリコンに吹き込む方法
(ii)高周波誘導炉を用いて溶融シリコンを誘導攪拌する方法
(iii)上層の溶融塩を、機械的に下層の溶融シリコンの中に押し込む方法
(iv)回転子を用いて溶融シリコンを攪拌する方法
(12)溶融塩を溶融シリコンに連続的に添加し、また、不純物を系外に除去する工程を連続的な吸引除去により行うことを特徴とする、前項(1)~(11)のいずれか一項に記載のシリコンの製造方法。
(13)前記不純物を系外に除去する工程の後に、溶融塩を再度溶融シリコンに添加して、再度該工程を行うことを特徴とする、前項(1)~(12)のいずれか一項に記載のシリコンの製造方法。
(14)不純物を系外に除去する工程により除去した物質を回収して溶融塩を精製し、再度溶融塩として用いることを特徴とする、前項(1)~(13)のいずれか一項に記載のシリコンの製造方法。
(15)少なくともホウ素の含有量が、1.4ppm以下であることを特徴とする、前項(1)~(14)のいずれか一項に記載した製造方法で得られるシリコン。
(16)前項(15)に記載のシリコンを用いた太陽電池用パネル。
フッ化ナトリウム(NaF)の1500℃での比重は約1.8であり、溶融シリコンの比重、約2.6よりも軽い。そのため、るつぼの中では、下層である溶融シリコン液相と上層であるNaF液相との界面が構成される。
4NaF+B=3Na+NaBF4、または、3NaF+B=3Na+BF3
Al+6NaF=Na3AlF6+3Na
また、例えば、初めからNaFとSiF4の複合化合物(Na2SiF6)を用いることもできる。この場合、Na2SiF6は液相になる前に一部分解が起こり、NaFとSiF4になる。
さらに、例えば、溶融塩をNaFとBaF2との混合塩として、溶融シリコンの下部に置くこともできる。NaFとBaF2との混合塩は、BaF2が組成で40モル%以上であれば、液体シリコンの比重である約2.6よりも大きく、液体シリコンの下に沈む。この状態で減圧にすると、NaFそのものが蒸発して液体シリコン中をガスでバブリングすることができ、上記反応を促進することができると考えられる。
図1で示したチャンバー7内を1気圧のアルゴンガスの雰囲気とし、グラファイト製るつぼ3に精製用の原料金属シリコンと溶融塩(NaF)を、それぞれ、250g、50gを入れ、約1550℃に加熱し、静置の状態で約2時間放置した。
図5で示したチャンバー7内を1気圧のアルゴンガスの雰囲気とし、グラファイト製るつぼ3に精製用の原料金属シリコン250gと溶融塩(NaF+BaF2:30g+30g)を入れ、約1550℃に加熱し、静置の状態で約2時間放置した。この場合、溶融塩の方が、比重が大きいので、溶融シリコンは溶融塩の上に浮いた状態となる。
図5で示したチャンバー7内を1気圧のアルゴンガスの雰囲気とし、グラファイト製るつぼ3に精製用の原料金属シリコン250gと溶融塩(NaF+BaF2+BaCl2:30g+30g+10g)を入れ、約1550℃に加熱し、静置の状態で約2時間放置した。この場合、実施例2同様、溶融塩の方が、比重が大きいので、溶融シリコンは溶融塩の上に浮いた状態となる。
図1で示したチャンバー7内を1気圧のアルゴンガスの雰囲気とし、グラファイト製るつぼ3に精製用の原料金属シリコンと溶融塩(NaF)を、それぞれ、250gと50gを入れ、約1550℃に加熱し、更に、アルゴンガスをシリコン液相中に吹き込んで約1時間攪拌した。その後、チャンバー7内を1.3×10-1~10-3Pa(10-3~10-5torr)に真空に引き、NaFを完全に蒸発させた。
図6で示したチャンバー7内を1気圧のアルゴンガスの雰囲気とし、グラファイト製るつぼ3に精製用の原料金属シリコン6.1kgを入れ、約1550℃に加熱した。
2 溶融塩
3 るつぼ
4 誘導加熱用コイル
5 パイプ
6 原材料投入口
7 チャンバー
8 断熱材
9 鋳型
10 るつぼの支持台
11 ガスの導入口
12 排気口
13 攪拌板/凹型の治具
14 溶融塩および反応生成物ガスの吸引口
Claims (16)
- 不純物を含む溶融シリコンと溶融塩とを容器内で接触させ、該溶融シリコン中の不純物と溶融塩とを反応させ、該不純物を系外に除去する工程を含むことを特徴とするシリコンの製造方法。
- 不純物を系外に除去する工程が、溶融シリコン中の不純物と溶融塩とを反応させた反応物を蒸発させて除去する工程であることを特徴とする、請求項1に記載のシリコンの製造方法。
- 不純物を系外に除去する工程が、溶融シリコン中の不純物を系外に排気させて除去する工程であることを特徴とする、請求項1または2に記載のシリコンの製造方法。
- 不純物を系外に除去する工程が、キャリアガスとともに溶融シリコン中の不純物を系外に除去する工程であることを特徴とする、請求項1~3のいずれか一項に記載のシリコンの製造方法。
- 容器内の内部または上部に、溶融塩又は溶融シリコン中の不純物と溶融塩とを反応させた反応物の蒸発速度を制御するための蓋を設置することを特徴とする請求項1~4のいずれか一項に記載のシリコンの製造方法。
- 溶融シリコン中の不純物と溶融塩との反応が、溶融シリコン液相と溶融塩液相との界面を構成することによって行われることを特徴とする、請求項1~5のいずれか一項に記載のシリコンの製造方法。
- 溶融シリコン中の不純物が、少なくともホウ素を含むことを特徴とする、請求項1~6のいずれか一項に記載のシリコンの製造方法。
- 溶融塩が、アルカリ金属のハロゲン化物塩、アルカリ土類金属のハロゲン化物塩、アルカリ金属とハロゲンとを含む複合塩およびアルカリ土類金属とハロゲンとを含む複合塩よりなる群から選ばれる少なくとも1種の化合物を含むものであることを特徴とする、請求項1~7のいずれか一項に記載のシリコンの製造方法。
- 溶融塩が、フッ化ナトリウム(NaF)、珪フッ化ソーダ(Na2SiF6)、クリオライト(Na3AlF6)、フッ化ナトリウムとフッ化バリウムとの混合物およびフッ化ナトリウムとフッ化バリウムと塩化バリウムとの混合物よりなる群から選ばれる少なくとも1種の化合物を含むことを特徴とする、請求項1~8のいずれか一項に記載のシリコンの製造方法。
- 溶融塩の量が、溶融シリコンに対して、5重量%以上300重量%以下であることを特徴とする、請求項1~9のいずれか一項に記載のシリコンの製造方法。
- 以下の(i)から(iv)のいずれか1の方法により溶融シリコンを流動させながら溶融シリコン中の不純物と溶融塩とを反応させることを特徴とする、請求項1~10のいずれか一項に記載のシリコンの製造方法。
(i)不活性ガスを溶融シリコンに吹き込む方法
(ii)高周波誘導炉を用いて溶融シリコンを誘導攪拌する方法
(iii)上層の溶融塩を、機械的に下層の溶融シリコンの中に押し込む方法
(iv)回転子を用いて溶融シリコンを攪拌する方法 - 溶融塩を溶融シリコンに連続的に添加し、また、不純物を系外に除去する工程を連続的な吸引除去により行うことを特徴とする、請求項1~11のいずれか一項に記載のシリコンの製造方法。
- 前記不純物を系外に除去する工程の後に、溶融塩を再度溶融シリコンに添加して、再度該工程を行うことを特徴とする、請求項1~12のいずれか一項に記載のシリコンの製造方法。
- 不純物を系外に除去する工程により除去した物質を回収して溶融塩を精製し、再度溶融塩として用いることを特徴とする、請求項1~13のいずれか一項に記載のシリコンの製造方法。
- 少なくともホウ素の含有量が、1.4ppm以下であることを特徴とする、請求項1~14のいずれか一項に記載した製造方法で得られるシリコン。
- 請求項15に記載のシリコンを用いた太陽電池用パネル。
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JP2011520901A JP5768714B2 (ja) | 2009-07-03 | 2010-06-25 | シリコンの製造方法 |
CN201080023329XA CN102448882A (zh) | 2009-07-03 | 2010-06-25 | 硅的制造方法、硅以及太阳能电池面板 |
CA2763330A CA2763330A1 (en) | 2009-07-03 | 2010-06-25 | Process for producing silicon, silicon, and panel for solar cells |
EP10794088A EP2450311A1 (en) | 2009-07-03 | 2010-06-25 | Method for producing silicon, silicon, and panel for solar cell |
US13/342,524 US9567227B2 (en) | 2009-07-03 | 2012-01-03 | Process for producing silicon, silicon, and panel for solar cells |
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Cited By (5)
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CN102515168A (zh) * | 2011-12-12 | 2012-06-27 | 昆明理工大学 | 一种去除工业硅中杂质硼的方法 |
CN102530954A (zh) * | 2012-03-07 | 2012-07-04 | 昆明理工大学 | 一种炉外精炼提纯工业硅除硼的复合精炼剂 |
CN102634820A (zh) * | 2012-04-23 | 2012-08-15 | 上海大学 | 由含钛复合矿直接电解氯化除铁去杂提取钛及钛合金的方法及其电解槽装置 |
JP2013086994A (ja) * | 2011-10-14 | 2013-05-13 | Mitsubishi Chemicals Corp | シリコンの製造方法、シリコンウェハー及び太陽電池用パネル |
JP2013209268A (ja) * | 2012-03-30 | 2013-10-10 | Mitsubishi Chemicals Corp | シリコンの製造方法、シリコンウェハー及び太陽電池用パネル |
Families Citing this family (5)
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WO2014184090A1 (de) * | 2013-05-14 | 2014-11-20 | Carl-Stefan Thoene | Verfahren zur aufbereitung und wiedergewinnung von silizium |
US9783426B2 (en) * | 2015-10-09 | 2017-10-10 | Milwaukee Silicon Llc | Purified silicon, devices and systems for producing same |
KR101967076B1 (ko) * | 2015-10-27 | 2019-04-08 | 신닛테츠스미킨 카부시키카이샤 | 실리콘 도금 금속판의 제조 방법 |
CN107162002A (zh) * | 2017-06-26 | 2017-09-15 | 张兆民 | 多晶硅片生产工艺 |
CN107362757A (zh) * | 2017-08-25 | 2017-11-21 | 江西艾德纳米科技有限公司 | 一种制备金属盐的连续生成反应装置及制备方法 |
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- 2010-06-25 KR KR1020117027538A patent/KR20120031159A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation
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US9567227B2 (en) | 2017-02-14 |
JPWO2011001919A1 (ja) | 2012-12-13 |
CA2763330A1 (en) | 2011-01-06 |
KR20120031159A (ko) | 2012-03-30 |
CN102448882A (zh) | 2012-05-09 |
JP5768714B2 (ja) | 2015-08-26 |
EP2450311A1 (en) | 2012-05-09 |
US20120100058A1 (en) | 2012-04-26 |
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