metalloiden

Metalloids are chemical elements with properties intermediate between metals and nonmetals. They are typically brittle solids at room temperature and exhibit electrical conductivities that are greater than most nonmetals but less than most metals. Their conductivity can be controlled by temperature or by adding impurities (doping), making them useful as semiconductors. Metalloids often lie along a diagonal region on the periodic table between metals and nonmetals, although the exact boundaries vary by definition.

Commonly cited metalloids include boron, silicon, germanium, arsenic, antimony, and tellurium. Some sources extend the category to include a few other elements, such as polonium or astatine, while others exclude them; there is no universal agreement on a formal set.

Their chemistry: They form covalent bonds and many form oxides with varied oxidation states; some metalloids are amphoteric; they can display both metallic and nonmetallic behavior depending on context.

Applications: Silicon and germanium are foundational semiconductors in electronics and photovoltaics; boron and arsenic are common dopants in silicon devices; tellurium is used in thermoelectrics and alloying.

In summary: The label metalloid covers elements with mixed properties and their classification is debated; they are notable for semiconductor properties that underpin modern electronics.