Uses of Oxides of Carbon Group: Introduction and Explanation

Carbon group or Group 14 (IVa) of the periodic table is made up of carbon (C), silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), tin (Sn), lead (Pb), and flerovium (Fl). All of these elements (except germanium and artificially created flerovium) are common in everyday life either as pure elements or as compounds. However, none of the elements except silicon are very abundant in the earth's crust. The earth's crust is made up of silicon and silicate minerals; silica (silicon dioxide) is sand. While in both the plant and animal kingdoms, carbon is found in a nearly endless number of compounds. Yet carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide or ‘greenhouse gases’ are infamous for ‘global warming’. However, here we will learn about the uses of oxides of carbon groups and answer some important questions.

Key Takeaways: Oxides, Carbon, Carbon group, Compounds, Silicon, Germanium, Tin, Lead, Flerovium, Silicon dioxide, Carbon dioxide, Carbon monoxide

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Uses of Oxides of Carbon

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• Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are the two recognised carbon oxides.
• Carbon monoxide, having the chemical formula CO, is an extremely poisonous gas. It's a colourless, odourless, and highly combustible substance. 
• Carbon monoxide is used in meat packing methods that use a modified environment to keep the meat fresh.
• It is utilised as a lasing medium in high-power infrared lasers.
• It is an essential gas in the production of a variety of chemicals. Hydroformylation of alkenes with carbon monoxide and dihydrogen produces aldehydes. Carbon monoxide and chlorine gas are passed over activated carbon to form phosgene, another significant industrial gas.
• Carbon dioxide is a gas that is not harmful. It has no colour and no odour.
• It is a critical gas for the survival of life on the planet. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, thus it's used for a lot of things. It aids in the preservation of the planet's ideal temperature for life.
• Green plants require carbon dioxide to complete the photosynthesis, the sole biological process by which autotrophs can prepare food.
• It is utilised in the production of urea, a vital fertiliser.
• Refrigerators and heat pumps use carbon dioxide as a coolant.
• It's used to keep fruits fresh for a long time.
• Carbon dioxide is added to carbonated drinks to make them fizzy. Soft drinks contain a significant amount of carbon dioxide.

Group 14 consists of-

• Carbon
• Silicon
• Germanium
• Lead
• Tin

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Uses of Oxides of Silicon

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• Because of its atomic structure, silicon is a highly essential semiconductor, and is the most important semiconductor in the electronics and technology industries.
• Silicon atoms can lose electrons to an element like boron, which can be replaced for a silicon atom in the crystal structure but has one fewer valence electron (boron is an acceptor atom) than silicon. The extrinsic semiconductor of the positive kind is enabled by the positive holes formed by the shift in electrons (p).
• The addition of an element like arsenic, whose atom can also be swapped for a silicon atom in the crystal, offers an extra valence electron (arsenic is a donor atom), causing the lattice to release its electron. Negative (n) semiconductor is enabled by these electrons.
• A silicon wafer is a highly purified silicon that has been doped (infused) with elements such as boron, phosphorus, and arsenic. It is the basic material used in computer chips, integrated circuits, transistors, silicon diodes, liquid crystal displays, and other electronic and switching devices.

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Uses of Oxides of Germanium:

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• Amphoteric oxides, such as germanium oxide, dissolve in both acids and bases. It is the primary source of commercially available germanium. Germanium dioxide is also used in optical instruments.
• It is utilised as a diatom growth inhibitor, which aids in the cultivation of algae.

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Uses of Oxides of Tin

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• Tin oxides are used in the manufacture of designer spectacles.
• For polishing granite and marble quarry rocks
• Because of its exceptional electronic and optical properties, tin dioxide is an economically important chemical. It's an amphoteric oxide that's used in a variety of applications.
• Tin dioxide gives ceramic glasses their white colour.
• Tin dioxide is employed as a mordant in the process of dying.
• Tin dioxide is an excellent polishing agent. It's used to polish jewellery, marble, and other surfaces.

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Uses of Oxides of Lead

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• The amphoteric oxide lead monoxide is employed in the ceramics and glass industries.
• It is used to produce glass on a large scale.
• It is used to prevent X-ray emission in a cathode ray tube.
• It's used in the rubber vulcanization process.
• Lead (II, IV) oxide is also known as red lead and is used in the following applications:
  • It's a pigment that is used in iron paint.
  • It's in the scrapping of engineering.

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Things to Remember

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• The six chemical elements that make up Group 14 (IVa) of the periodic table are carbon (C), silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), tin (Sn), lead (Pb), and flerovium (Fl).
• Tin and lead, despite having lower crustal abundances than certain so-called rare metals, are widespread in everyday life.
• Germanium, on the other hand, occurs in just a few specific minerals and is most usually found in minute amounts in coals and in combination with the mineral zinc blend. Although germanium is one of the rarer elements, its importance grew as a result of its semiconductor capabilities (i.e., limited ability to conduct electricity).
• Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are the two recognised carbon oxides.
• Silicon is a highly essential semiconductor, and it is the most important semiconductor in the electronics and technology industries.

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