Platinum (Pt) is a dense, malleable, ductile, and rare metal with the atomic number 78. It is a member of the platinum group of elements and is found in a few areas of the world, including South Africa, Russia, and Canada.
Sources of Platinum: Platinum is primarily obtained from sulfide ores that contain small amounts of the metal. The largest producers of platinum are South Africa, Russia, and Canada.
Uses and production of Platinum:
- Platinum has a variety of uses, including:
- In jewelry, due to its natural beauty and rarity.
- In catalytic converters in automobiles, due to its ability to reduce emissions.
- In electronics, due to its high conductivity and resistance to corrosion.
- In dental and medical equipment, due to its biocompatibility and resistance to corrosion.
The production of platinum typically involves several steps, including:
- Mining the ore: Platinum ore is typically mined using open-pit or underground methods.
- Concentrating the ore: The ore is crushed and ground to a fine powder and then treated with chemicals to concentrate the platinum.
- Smelting the concentrate: The concentrate is melted in a furnace to produce a crude platinum product.
- Purifying the metal: The crude platinum is further purified using chemical and physical methods to produce a high-purity metal for use in various applications.
Chemical properties of Platinum:
- Platinum is a relatively unreactive metal and does not corrode or tarnish easily.
- It forms a protective oxide layer on its surface that makes it resistant to corrosion.
Physical properties of Platinum:
- Platinum is a dense, malleable, ductile, and silvery-white metal.
- It has a high melting point (1772°C) and boiling point (3827°C).
- Platinum is a good conductor of electricity and heat.
Extraction of Platinum: The extraction of platinum from its ores is a complex process that involves several steps, including mining the ore, concentrating the ore, smelting the concentrate, and purifying the metal. The concentrate is treated with chemicals to concentrate the platinum, which is then melted in a furnace to produce a crude platinum product. This crude product is further purified using chemical and physical methods to produce a high-purity metal for use in various applications.