Beryllium Oxide
Beryllium Oxide, also known as beryllia, is an inorganic compound with the formula BeO. Beryllium oxide can be prepared by calcining beryllium carbonate, dehydrating beryllium hydroxide, or igniting metallic beryllium:
BeCO3 --> BeO + CO2
Be(OH)2 --> BeO + H2O
2Be + O2 --> BeO
It is used in rocket engines and transparent protective over-coating on aluminised telescope mirrors. It is also used in high-performance semiconductor parts and other electrical components because it has good thermal conductivity while also being a good electrical insulator. Beryllium oxide can also be used as a structural ceramic for high-performance microwave devices, vacuum tubes, magnetrons, and gas lasers.