Why is silicon widely used as a semiconductor?

Silicon is widely used as a semiconductor primarily due to its ability to withstand heat. This thermal stability allows silicon devices to operate effectively under a range of temperatures without degrading or malfunctioning, which is critical for many electronic applications. Silicon's crystalline structure supports the creation of energy bands essential for semiconductor behavior, where it can effectively switch between its conductive and non-conductive states depending on exposure to heat or doping elements.

This heat endurance is particularly important in high-power applications where heat generation is a significant concern. While silicon does possess a certain degree of electrical conductivity, what truly makes it a superior option is not solely that conductivity but rather its balance of conductivity, thermal stability, and ease of integration in electronic devices.

Silicon's abundance and cost-effectiveness do contribute to its widespread use, but the key aspect leading to its dominance in the semiconductor industry is its thermal properties that allow devices to function reliably across varying temperatures.