Those elements which have properties in between metals and non-metals are known as metalloids. It can be said that they are mixtures of these two classes of elements. The appearance of the metalloids is generally metallic. The metalloids are brittle in nature, hence are unable to attain a structure and they conduct electricity in a very moderate manner.
With regard to chemical reactions, these elements typically behave as non-metals and they have an ability to combine with metals in order to form alloys. Furthermore, the metalloids are also used as biological catalysts, optical storage, glasses, semiconductors, etc.
Examples of Metalloids:
There is a total of 11 metalloids out of which 6 are commonly recognized. They are named boron, silicon, germanium, arsenic, antimony, and tellurium.
