Silane (SiH4) is produced by large chemical companies such as Dow Corning (www. dowcorning.com) and is supplied to the end user via tube trailers. One of silane’s primary applications today is in semiconductor manufacturing, where electronic-grade silane is used when applying polycrystalline silicon layers on silicon wafers.
Thin film solar cells also are made by depositing amorphous silicon on a substrate using silane gas, and growth in low-cost solar panel manufacturing has led to substantial consumption of silane.
Current worldwide demand for silane is 3,500 to 4,000 metric tons per year. In the past, silane has experienced strong growth from semiconductor, liquid crystal display, and photovoltaic manufacturing. Current economic conditions have resulted in a near-term slow down. Growth is expected to return to previous rates, but it is unclear as to whether that will be late 2012 or early 2013.
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