en.Wedoany.com Reported - The World Platinum Investment Council recently pointed out that platinum-based equipment plays an indispensable role in the production of large, defect-free crystals required in the electronics and optics fields.
The council explained that in materials science, crystal growth is the process of arranging atoms or molecules into a highly ordered solid structure. Taking the Czochralski method and the Kyropoulos method as examples, these two processes are used to produce crystals for a variety of end uses. The resulting crystal structure gives the material predictable electrical, optical, and mechanical properties, making it a key component in numerous technologies.
Industrially grown crystals are widely used in smartphones, computers, LED lighting, medical imaging equipment, and advanced sensors. Through the Czochralski method, silicon crystals form the wafers used in semiconductors: a tiny seed crystal is introduced into the molten raw material and slowly pulled upward. In the Kyropoulos method, sapphire crystals are used to manufacture scratch-resistant screens and optical windows, with the seed crystal growing downward as the melt temperature is slowly reduced.
Both methods require heating raw materials to extremely high temperatures. The molten material can be highly corrosive and reactive, necessitating specialized instruments. Platinum, with a melting point of 1,768°C, possesses non-reactivity, stability, and the ability to maintain strength at extreme temperatures, making it suitable for manufacturing crucibles that contain and shape the molten material during crystal growth. Importantly, platinum does not contaminate the growing crystal, helping to achieve the ultra-high purity required for the final application.
The council noted that platinum crucibles have become essential laboratory and production tools in the field of crystal growth. Furthermore, components such as hydraulic needles for manipulating the seed crystal and protective baffles that limit outward heat radiation are also often made of platinum, fabricated from semi-finished platinum components like wire, strip, and sheet. Today, other platinum group metals, such as iridium and rhodium, can be alloyed with platinum to further enhance its strength and lifespan at extreme temperatures.
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