What is beryllium oxide used for?

Beryllium oxide (BeO) is a white crystalline oxide. It occurs in nature as the mineral “Bromellite”. Historically, beryllium oxide was called glucina or glucinium oxide. It is an electrical insulator and its thermal conductivity is such that it is higher than any other nonmetal except diamond, and actually exceeds that of some metals. 

Synthesis

Beryllium oxide can be prepared by calcining beryllium carbonate, dehydrating the hydroxide or igniting the metal with oxygen gas, as shown in the following reactions:

BeCO3 ⇒ BeO + CO2

Be(OH)2 ⇒ BeO + H2O

2Be + O2 ⇒ 2BeO

Beryllium Oxide is a well-known prototype refractory oxide with a wide range of applications ranging from optoelectronic devices to nuclear reactors. Since BeO is a wide-band gapoxide crystal, its application as an ultraviolet (UV) transparent conduction oxide in flat-panel displays and solar cells can be promising.

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