Materials Used in Electronic Devices

Introduction

In the ever-changing field of technology,electronic gadgets have become essential for our everyday activities,bringing people together,offering ease and fostering new ideas.Within the modern devices' stylish appearances are various materials chosen for their specific characteristics.This article will explore the intriguing realm of materials used in creating electronic gadgets ranging from tiny circuits to the outer surfaces.

When atoms combine to form a solid, crystalline material, they arrange themselves in a symmetrical pattern. The atoms within a semiconductor crystal structure are held together by covalent bonds, which are created by the interaction of the valence electrons of the atoms. Silicon is a crystalline material.

All materials are made up of atoms.These atoms contribute to the electrical properties of a material, including its ability to conduct electrical current.For purposes of discussing electrical properties,an atom can be represented by the valence shell and a core that consists of all the inner shells and the nucleus.This concept is illustrated in Figure 1 for a carbon atom.Carbon is used in some types of electrical resistors.Notice that the carbon atom has four electrons in the valence shell and two electrons in the inner shell.The nucleus consists of six protons and six neutrons,so the +6 indicates the positive charge of the six protons.The core has a net charge of +4 (+6 for the nucleus and -2 for the two inner-shell electrons).

Figure 1

In terms of their electrical properties, materials can be classified into three groups

Conductors
Semiconductors
insulators
Plastics and Polymers
Printable and Flexible Materials

Now we discuss about all this three materials in detail.

1.Conductors

A conductor is a material that easily conducts electrical current.Most metals are good conductors.The best conductors are single-element materials, such as copper (Cu), silver (Ag), gold (Au), and aluminum (Al),which are characterized by atoms with only one valence electron very loosely bound to the atom.These loosely bound valence electrons can become free electrons with the addition of a small amount of energy to free them from the atom.Therefore in a conductive material the free electrons are available to carry current.

2.Semiconductors

A semiconductor is a material that is between conductors and insulators in its ability to conduct electrical current. A semiconductor in its pure (intrinsic) state is neither a good conductor nor a good insulator. Single-element semiconductors are antimony (Sb), arsenic (As), astatine (At), boron (B), polonium (Po), tellurium (Te), silicon (Si), and germanium (Ge). Compound semiconductors such as gallium arsenide, indium phosphide, gallium nitride, silicon carbide, and silicon germanium are also commonly used. The single-element semiconductors are characterized by atoms with four valence electrons. Silicon is the most commonly used semiconductor.

3.Insulators

An insulator is a material that does not conduct electrical current under normal conditions. Most good insulators are compounds rather than single-element materials and have very high resistivities. Valence electrons are tightly bound to the atoms; therefore, there are very few free electrons in an insulator. Examples of insulators are rubber, plastics, glass, mica, and quartz.

4.Plastics and Polymers

PE, PP, PC are lightweight and versatile polymers used in device casings, battery housings, and other structural components. PC is known for impact resistance and commonly used in laptop and smartphone bodies. PET is transparent and lightweight, often used in flexible electronics and as a display substrate.

5.Printable and Flexible Materials

Organic semiconductors enable the development of flexible and printable electronics for creating bendable displays and sensors. Graphene, composed of a single layer of carbon atoms in a hexagonal arrangement, serves as a highly conductive material known for its exceptional strength and flexibility. This material shows potential for use in future flexible electronics and high-speed electronic devices.

Conclusion

Every day, we interact with electronic devices that rely on a carefully selected range of materials for their performance, durability, and innovation. The constant search for new materials pushes the limits of what is achievable, leading to more powerful, sustainable, and versatile electronic devices in the future.