About Cerium (Ce)
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Symbol
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Ce
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Atomic Number
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58
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Relative Atomic Mass
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140.116
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Density
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6.773 g/cm³
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Melting Point
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795°C
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Boiling Point
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3440°C
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Element Category
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Rare earth, Lanthanide element
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Properties
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Silvery-white metal at room temperature
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Cerium is a soft, malleable, and ductile lanthanide series metal. It is very reactive in air or water. Cerium is also the most abundant rare earth element, constituting approximately 0.0046% of the Earth's crust.
Cerium is also used in ferrocerium alloys in the ignition of flints for lighters. It can also be used as a component of carbon electrodes for arc lamps in the sports field.
Cerium(IV) is widely used in quantitative chemical analysis, as well as in the manufacturing of glass, lighter flints, ceramics, high-temperature resistant alloys, and luminescent materials.
The most widely used cerium compound is cerium dioxide (cerium oxide, CeO?). The primary application of cerium dioxide is as a polishing agent.
* Cerium Compounds: Both cerium nitrate and cerium chloride compounds have wide-ranging uses across various ceramics, electronics, and pigment industries, among others, to produce high-performance materials with unique characteristics.
Main Characteristics of Cerium (Ce)
- Oxidation States: Cerium is renowned for its ease in switching between the +3 and +4 oxidation states. This renders it highly valuable in redox reactions, fuel cells, and catalytic converters, where the two oxidation states of cerium play a critical function in chemical reactions.
- Catalytic Properties: Cerium compounds are used extensively as catalysts in various industrial processes. They accelerate chemical reactions and increase the rate of reaction, thereby increasing efficiency and reducing the energy consumption.
- Glass and Optics: Cerium oxide is used in the glass and optics fields. It is used for polishing glass surfaces and for producing optical glass with higher ultraviolet absorption rates, making it an essential component in camera lenses, telescope lenses, and eyeglasses.
Safety Information
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Signal Word
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Danger
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Hazard Statements
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H228-H302-H312-H315-H319-H332-H335
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Hazard Codes
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F, Xn
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Risk Codes
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11-20/21/22-36/37/38
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Safety Precautions
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16-26-36/37/39
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RTECS Number
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N/A
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Transport Information
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UN 1333 4.1/PG 2
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WGK Germany
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3
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Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling (GHS)
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Widespread Applications of Cerium
Cerium has widespread applications and is involved in almost all areas of rare earth applications, including polishing powders, hydrogen storage materials, thermoelectric materials, electrode materials, ceramic capacitors, fuel cell raw materials, gasoline catalysts, permanent magnet materials, various alloys, etc.
Glass Additive:
As an additive in glass, cerium can adsorb UV and IR radiation and is thus widely used in automobile glass. Cerium is utilized in automobile exhaust purification catalysts to effectively avoid massive amounts of automobile exhaust being released into the atmosphere.
Environmental Protection:
Cerium sulfide can replace environment- and human-toxic metals such as lead and cadmium in pigments. It is used in coloring plastic and can also be utilized in the coatings, inks, and paper industries.
Material Modifier:
Cerium is a functional material modifier such as steel, aluminum, magnesium, copper, titanium, tungsten, and precious metals.
Inorganic Salts:
Cerium's inorganic salts can be used as plant growth regulators in agriculture and green phosphors for lamps.
Organic Compounds:
Organic cerium compounds find applications as plastic modifiers and additives to animal feed.
Other Uses:
- Polishing Powders: Employed for the preparation of high-quality finishes in various production processes.
- Hydrogen Storage Materials: Utilized in hydrogen storage materials technology for energy storage.
- Thermoelectric Materials: Employed in thermoelectric devices used to convert a temperature difference to electric voltage.
- Electrode Materials: Used in the production of electrodes for various electronic and industrial uses.
- Ceramic Capacitors: Essential components of electronic circuits used for energy storage.
- Fuel Cell Raw Materials: The foundation in the production of fuel cells for clean energy technology.
- Gasoline Catalysts: Improve the performance and reduce the gas emission levels of gasoline cars.
- Permanent Magnet Materials: Use in the creation of strong and durable magnets for many applications.
- Various Alloys: Enhance the properties of metals by adding strength, durability, and resistance to corrosion. The addition of approximately 1% cerium can effectively improve the low strength and poor toughness of magnesium alloys.
The versatility and unusual properties of cerium render it a priceless element in various industries, leading to technological advancements, environmental conservation, and material science.
