APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING MG(2)Si(1-x)SN(x) POLYCRYSTAL

Abstract

Provided are an apparatus and a method for producing an inexpensive Mg2Si1-xSnx polycrystal that can be effectively used as thermoelectric conversion materials that can be expected to have a high performance index by doping if necessary. A problem can be solved by a production apparatus 1 for producing an Mg2Si1-xSnx polycrystal including at least a reaction vessel for synthesis of Mg2Si1-xSnx represented by the following formula (1) by filling a mixture of Mg particles and Si particles or Mg particles and Sn particles, or Mg—Si alloy particles or Mg—Sn alloy particles as a main starting material 2 to cause a reaction; an inorganic fiber layer 6 which is fixedly provided above the starting material 2 filled into the reaction vessel 3 and has air permeability, which can be caused to disappear by a product 7 generated by chemical reaction of vaporized Mg with oxygen during the synthesis of the polycrystal 12; heating means 8 for heating the reaction vessel 3; and control means 9 for controlling the heating temperature and heating time of the reaction vessel 3, wherein Mg2Si1-xSnx   (1) (in the formula (1), x is 0 to 1).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.