Vanadium

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Vanadium-bar

Vanadiumoxidationstates

decavanadate polyhedra

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Vanadium crystal

Vanadium is a chemical element with the symbol V and atomic number 23. It is a hard, silvery-grey, ductile, and malleable transition metal. The element is found in various minerals and is used in steel alloys for its strong structural properties. Vanadium was discovered in 1801 by the Spanish mineralogist Andrés Manuel del Río, but it was mistaken for a form of chromium. It was isolated in 1830 by the Swedish chemist Nils Gabriel Sefström, who named it after Vanadis, the Scandinavian goddess of beauty, because of the beautiful colors of vanadium compounds.

Properties and Occurrence

Vanadium is a medium-hard, steel-blue metal. It is malleable, ductile, and resistant to corrosion by alkalis, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, and saltwater. Its compound vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) is used as a catalyst in manufacturing sulfuric acid and in dyeing and printing fabrics. Vanadium steel alloys are used in gears, axles, and crankshafts for their strength and resistance to wear and fatigue.

Vanadium is never found unbound in nature, but it occurs in about 65 different minerals, including vanadinite, carnotite, and patronite. It is also found in certain iron ores and phosphate rocks. The largest deposits of vanadium are in South Africa, Russia, and China.

Applications

The most important use of vanadium is in the production of steel alloys, such as high-speed tool steels, which contain up to 5% vanadium. These alloys are used for their hardness and resistance to wear and corrosion. Vanadium is also used in the aerospace industry for titanium-aluminum-vanadium alloys, which are used in jet engines and high-speed airframes because of their strength and light weight.

In addition to its industrial uses, vanadium is becoming more important in the field of renewable energy. Vanadium redox flow batteries are used for energy storage, including the storage of energy from renewable sources such as wind and solar power. These batteries have several advantages, including the ability to offer almost unlimited capacity by using larger storage tanks, a long lifespan, and the ability to be discharged completely without damage.

Health Effects

Vanadium compounds are considered to be of low toxicity, but they can cause lung and throat irritation when inhaled. Long-term exposure to vanadium pentoxide dust can cause chronic bronchitis, and there is evidence that it may cause cancer in animals. However, the role of vanadium in human nutrition is not well understood, and it is considered a potential micronutrient in small amounts.

Environmental Impact

The mining and processing of vanadium can have environmental impacts, including air and water pollution. The burning of fossil fuels, such as oil and coal, which contain vanadium, releases it into the atmosphere, where it can be inhaled by humans and animals. Efforts are being made to reduce the environmental impact of vanadium extraction and use, including the development of cleaner mining technologies and the recycling of vanadium from used catalysts and steel alloys.