Platinum

Platinum is a chemical element with the symbol Pt and atomic number 78. It is a dense, malleable, silvery-white metal that belongs to the platinum group of transition metals. Platinum is highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation and has one of the highest melting points among metals.

In nature, platinum occurs mainly as native metal in alluvial deposits and as an alloy in nickel-copper sulfide ores. It is one of the platinum group metals (PGMs), which also includes ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, and iridium. The largest producers are South Africa, particularly the Bushveld Complex, and Russia, with additional output from Canada, Zimbabwe, and other regions.

Historically, platinum was identified as a distinct metal in the 18th century and was given the name platina or little silver by early explorers. It was first isolated as a relatively pure metal in the early 1800s by William Hyde Wollaston.

Refining platinum from ore involves complex processes that yield high-purity metal, typically around 99.95%. Platinum dissolves in aqua regia and is otherwise highly resistant to most acids, contributing to its stability in various environments and applications.

Platinum has a very high melting point of about 1,768 °C and a density of approximately 21.4 g/cm3. Its combination of inertness, strength, and catalytic properties makes it valuable for a wide range of uses. The most prominent applications are as catalysts in automotive three-way converters and other chemical processes, in jewelry and decorative settings, in electrical contacts and electronics, and in certain industrial, dental, and medical materials.