Paladyum

Paladyum is commonly understood as an alternate spelling of palladium, a chemical element with symbol Pd and atomic number 46. It is a member of the platinum group metals and is classified as a transition metal. Palladium is a silvery‑white, soft, and highly ductile metal that is resistant to corrosion in air and many chemicals. It typically exhibits multiple oxidation states, most commonly +2 and +4, and can absorb hydrogen to form palladium hydride, a property exploited in research on hydrogen storage.

Occurrence and production

Palladium does not occur as a free mineral in nature. It is found in association with other platinum group metals in ultramafic and mafic ore deposits and is mainly recovered as a byproduct of nickel and platinum mining. Major production centers include regions in Russia, South Africa, Canada, the United States, and Africa. Refining and smelting processes separate palladium from other metals for industrial use.

Applications

The largest single use of palladium is in catalytic converters for automotive exhaust systems, where it helps convert harmful pollutants into less toxic gases. It is also employed as a catalyst in various chemical reactions, including hydrogenation and selective oxidation. In the electronics industry, palladium is used in components and multilayer ceramic capacitors. Palladium is present in some dental alloys and in white gold jewelry alloys. It is also studied for hydrogen storage and other advanced technologies.

History and naming

Palladium was discovered in 1803 by William Hyde Wollaston and named after the asteroid Pallas, which had been identified a few years earlier. The term paladyum appears in some sources as a variant spelling, but palladium is the standard name in scientific contexts.

Safety and economics

Palladium is generally handled as a stable, metallic material, though dust and inhalation should be avoided. As a valuable and strategically important metal, its supply and price are sensitive to industrial demand, particularly from catalytic converter applications.

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