Cerium
by Yogi P - October 23, 2023
Cerium: A Shining Beacon of Optimisation
Cerium is the fourth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, and is used in many everyday items, making it a vital part of our lives. Thanks to its many properties, it is highly valued in a range of industries and applications, from providing strength to alloys to catalysing chemical reactions.
We wouldn’t have a lot of our modern conveniences today without this incredible element.
History and Discovery of Cerium
Cerium was first discovered in 1803 by Swedish chemists Jons Jacob Berzelius and Wilhelm Hisinger. It was named after the recently discovered asteroid Ceres, which in turn was named after the Roman goddess of agriculture.
The original sample of cerium was made from a mixture of minerals known as the rare earths, and those minerals were found to contain trace amounts of cerium.
Properties of Cerium
- Atomic number: 58
- Symbol: Ce
- Atomic mass: 140.116 g/mol
- Melting point: 795°C (1463°F)
- Boiling point: 3279°C (5904°F)
- Density: 6.77 g/cm3
- Valence electrons: 4
Cerium is a greyish silver metal with a valency of 4 and a characteristic bright blue-white colour in its elemental form.
Uses of Cerium
Cerium has a wide variety of uses depending on its different forms. It is most commonly found in cerium oxide, which is an incredibly useful abrasive and polishing agent due to its high reactivity. It is also used to produce strong yet lightweight alloys for jet engines, as well as creating a range of catalysts for chemical reactions in industry and medicine. Cerium is also making its way into a range of tech-affiliated uses, such as being refined for use in next-generation batteries and fuel cells.
Summary of the various applications of cerium:
| Used in | Description |
|---|---|
| Abrasives and Polishing | Cerium oxide, as an abrasive and polishing agent, is used for its high reactivity in applications such as lens polishing and glass manufacturing. |
| Aerospace Alloys | Cerium is used in the production of strong yet lightweight alloys for jet engines, enhancing their performance and durability. |
| Catalysts | Cerium is used to create a range of catalysts for chemical reactions in industrial and medical applications, improving reaction efficiency. |
| Next-Generation Batteries | Cerium is refined for use in next-generation batteries and fuel cells, contributing to advancements in energy storage technology. |
Safety Precautions
Cerium is not known to be toxic, but its dust can be irritative and it is considered a fire hazard. It should be stored and handled using appropriate security measures and instruments, and it is not recommended to be handled by people without protective clothing.
Conclusion
Cerium is a key element in the modern world, and its wide range of uses make it invaluable to industry and everyday life. Its brilliance and potential make it a shining light of optimization, as it can help make everything from polishing car paint to catalysing fuel cells more effective than ever.
