Plat

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BoiseInaugural1863Plat

Transitville, Indiana 1878

Platinum is a chemical element with the symbol Pt and atomic number 78. It is a dense, malleable, ductile, highly unreactive, precious, silverish-white transition metal. Its name is derived from the Spanish term platino, meaning "little silver". Platinum is a member of the platinum group of elements and group 10 of the periodic table of elements. It has six naturally occurring isotopes. It is one of the rare elements in Earth's crust with an average abundance of approximately 5 μg/kg. It occurs in some nickel and copper ores along with some native deposits, mostly in South Africa, which accounts for 80% of the world production. Because of its scarcity in Earth's crust, it is considered a precious metal.

Properties

Platinum is a highly valuable and sought-after metal for both its physical properties and its applications. It is non-reactive, which makes it resistant to corrosion, even at high temperatures, and is therefore considered a noble metal. Additionally, it is highly resistant to wear and tarnish, which makes it well-suited for use in jewelry and electrical contacts. Its most common use, however, is in catalytic converters in cars, where it helps to reduce the emissions of harmful gases.

Applications

The major use of platinum is in catalytic converters, which are used to reduce the emissions from internal combustion engines. It is also used in jewelry, due to its lustrous appearance and resistance to tarnishing. Platinum is used in the chemical industry as a catalyst in a number of chemical reactions. It is also used in dental equipment, and medical equipment such as pacemakers due to its biocompatibility. In addition, platinum is used in fuel cells where it acts as a catalyst in the conversion of hydrogen and oxygen into water, generating electricity in the process.

History

Platinum was used by pre-Columbian natives in America as part of a white alloy of gold and platinum. Antonio de Ulloa is credited with bringing platinum to Europe in 1748. Platinum's resistance to wear and tarnish made it an ideal metal for minting fine currency. The discovery of platinum in gold deposits led to the term "platinum" being applied to unwanted metal alloys with no value, hence the term "platinum" for high-quality products.

Occurrence

The largest deposits of platinum are in South Africa, followed by Russia and Canada. Platinum is found in the Earth's crust at a concentration of about 0.005 ppm. It is usually found as a native metal, often in the presence of other metals of the platinum group. Platinum is obtained commercially as a by-product from nickel and copper mining and processing.

Environmental Impact

While platinum is considered a precious metal, its mining and processing have environmental impacts. The extraction process can lead to the release of harmful gases and lead to the displacement of communities. Additionally, the rarity of platinum means that it is often mined in areas of high biodiversity, potentially leading to environmental degradation.

See Also

• Palladium
• Rhodium
• Platinum group
• Precious metal
• Catalytic converter