Composition and structural identification of silicon particles in diamond wire saw silicon powder

In this study, the content and calculation equations of each substance in diamond wire saw silicon powder (DWSSP) were determined. Initially, the presence of amorphous SiO₂ was proven by crystal transformation. Then, the SiO₂ content was determined by SiO₂-CaO phase diagram analysis, and the SiO_x content was determined by using the oxygen conservation rule. The variation trend between the SiO₂, SiO_x, and Si contents and the O content was determined, according to the calculated SiO₂ and SiO_x content. In addition, linear fitting was performed on the SiO₂, SiO_x, and Si contents of five DWSSP raw materials, and a calculation equation for SiO₂, SiO_x, and Si was obtained through the total O content. The three-layer structure of DWSSP was revealed, the DWSSP consisting of a Si core, an intermediate SiO_x layer, and a SiO₂ shell. This study can accurately identify the content of SiO₂, SiO_x, and Si in DWSSP based on the detected oxygen content, and provide a better theoretical basis for the process selection and design for silicon recovery or high value materials preparation.