Magnesium selenide (MgSe) is an inorganic compound that’s readily available in bulk volumes. Its crystalline form is a good candidate for an alloy of the future. Despite its name, magnesium is found in a variety of forms ranging from metal to mineral. A popular use is in aluminum-magnesium alloys, which have a number of advantages for industrial applications.
Magnesium is also one of the cheapest elements available, making it a popular choice for electronics. However, magnesium selenide’s oxophilic nature means that it can be a challenge to keep it from dissolving into an amorphous state. The resulting compound is called SeO2, and it is stable enough to be used in chemical reactions. This compound is usually produced by a tube furnace.
Magnesium selenide’s name is derived from the Greek district of Thessaly called Magnesia. As for the chemistry, the SeO2 reaction takes place in an inert atmosphere at 550 degC.
For the uninitiated, a ligand compound containing a few magnesium ions is placed in the reactor, followed by a solvent. A vacuum is then used to remove the oxygen source. Once all the compounds are in place, the reaction is initiated. From there, the Mg-Se nexus is achieved.
Magnesium selenide’s enticing list of uses includes its most obvious application as an alloy, but it’s also a key ingredient in a wide array of consumer products. Some of the most popular are electronics, medical devices, and food ingredients. In addition, magnesium is a critical component in many batteries.
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