Thermodynamics of boron distribution in solvent refining of silicon using ferrosilicon alloys

•Effectiveness of B removal from Si by solvent refining using iron is investigated.•Distribution coefficient of B between solid Si and Fe–Si melt is evaluated.•Self interaction parameter of B in solid Si is estimated at different temperatures.•Activity coefficient of B in Si is obtained and related to temperature. Distribution coefficient of boron between purified solid silicon and iron–silicon melt at infinite dilution of boron was evaluated to investigate the effectiveness of boron removal from silicon by solvent refining using iron. The estimated values for distribution coefficient of boron at infinite dilution are: 0.49±0.01 (1583K), 0.41±0.03 (1533K) and 0.33±0.04 (1483K). The distribution coefficient increases with temperature showing less boron removal at higher temperatures. The estimated values for self interaction parameter of boron are as follow: −96±12 (1583K), −111±28 (1533K) and −159±45 (1483K). Activity coefficient of boron in solid silicon was obtained and related to temperature as lnγBinsolidSi0=(16317±282)1T-(7.06±0.18).