Electrochemical Behavior of Ferrosilicides ( Fe x Si ) in Neutral and Alkaline Aqueous Electrolytes: I . Thermodynamics of Systems at 298 K

Abstract

The thermodynamics of systems are summarized in the form of Si(IV), Fe(II), and Fe(III) activity‐pH, Fe(III) activity‐Cl⁻ activity, and potential‐pH diagrams, calculated from standard Gibbs energies of formation of the various species considered. The semiconducting compound was predicted to have an area of stability in the potential‐pH diagram. However, the propensity of silicon to oxidize in preference to iron at low potentials leads to an area of coexistence of elemental iron and , from which would have to be formed at higher potentials; hence, a meta‐stable diagram is presented in which such iron‐silicon compounds are excluded from consideration.