Platinum

Platinum is a special kind of metal known as a chemical element with the symbol Pt and atomic number 78. It is very dense, soft enough to be shaped easily, and can be stretched into thin wires. Platinum does not react easily with other substances and looks like a shiny, silver-white color. Its name comes from a Spanish word meaning "little silver."

Platinum belongs to a group of metals called the platinum group and is found in group 10 of the periodic table of elements. It is rare in the Earth's crust, with only about five parts of platinum found in a million parts of rock. It is usually found near metals like nickel and copper. Because it is so rare, only a few hundred thousand kilograms are made each year, making it very valuable.

People have used platinum for a long time. Ancient people in South America made objects from it. Scientists in Europe learned more about it in the 1700s. Today, platinum is important for many things, including parts in cars called catalytic converters, equipment in labs, electrical contacts, and jewelry. It is also used in medicine to help treat some kinds of cancer.

Characteristics

Platinum is a shiny, silver-white metal that can be shaped and stretched easily. It is very strong and does not change when exposed to air or water, making it great for making beautiful jewelry.

Platinum does not rust or change even when heated, except in very special conditions. It can mix with certain strong materials and is used in important scientific tools. Platinum comes in several natural forms, with one type making up most of what we find. It is very rare on Earth but can be found in places like Colombia, Russia, and Canada. Scientists also find platinum in space, on the Moon and in meteorites.

Compounds

Hexachloroplatinic acid is an important platinum compound used in many ways, such as in photography and as a helper in chemical reactions. When mixed with certain salts, it can become less soluble and be turned into pure platinum by heating.

Platinum can form different compounds with oxygen and other elements. For example, platinum(IV) oxide is a black powder that can dissolve in certain solutions. Some platinum compounds can also help in important medical treatments.

Platinum generally does not harm animals because it does not react easily with living things. Even though platinum is used in medical devices, studies have shown it does not cause harmful effects in the body. However, some platinum salts can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, and long-term exposure might cause allergies.

History

Archaeologists have found traces of platinum in ancient Egyptian gold, like on a small box from the burial of Shepenupet II. But it's unclear if they knew platinum was there.

Native Americans near modern-day Esmeraldas, Ecuador used platinum mixed with gold to make objects. In Europe, platinum was first mentioned in 1557 by an Italian writer, Julius Caesar Scaliger. Spanish explorers saw it as an unwanted mix in gold. In 1735, Antonio de Ulloa and Jorge Juan y Santacilia saw Native Americans mining platinum in Colombia and Peru and brought samples to Spain. Later, scientists across Europe began studying platinum and its properties.

Production

Platinum is obtained as a by-product from mining and processing nickel and copper. During the refining of copper, valuable metals like platinum collect at the bottom of cells as "anode mud," which is where the extraction process begins.

When platinum is found in certain deposits, it is separated from impurities using different methods. Because platinum is very dense, lighter impurities can be floated away in liquid. Special magnets help remove certain metals, and heating can get rid of many other impurities without harming the platinum. Finally, platinum does not react with certain acids, so these acids can be used to remove other metals, leaving pure platinum behind.

One way to clean platinum that also contains gold and other similar metals is to use a special mixture that dissolves platinum and gold, leaving some other metals behind. The gold can then be separated, and platinum can be recovered and turned into its pure form by heating. Other methods can also be used for smaller amounts of platinum.

Applications

Platinum is a useful metal with many important uses. In 2014, most platinum was used to help cars clean up their exhaust, with smaller amounts used in jewelry, chemical production, and electronics.

Platinum works very well as a helper in chemical reactions, called a catalyst. It has been used this way since the 1800s. In cars, platinum helps turn unburned fuels into harmless gases. It is also used in making special types of gasoline and in helping make clean energy from hydrogen.

Because platinum is very rare and valuable, it is often used to show prestige. It is used in special awards, credit cards, and even in crowns for royalty. Platinum is also used in laboratories, medical treatments, and in making strong magnets.