Vanadyum

Vanadyum, commonly known in English as vanadium, is a chemical element with the symbol V and atomic number 23. It is a transition metal in group 5. The name derives from Vanadis, the Norse goddess Freyja. Vanadyum exhibits a range of oxidation states, most commonly +2 to +5, which underpins its chemistry in many oxides and compounds. It is valued for its ability to form hard, stable alloys and for catalytic activity.

Physically, vanadyum is a hard, silvery-gray metal that is ductile and has a high melting point. It forms a variety of oxides and complex compounds, and it readily forms mixed oxidation-state species that are useful in industrial catalysts and in energy storage materials.

Vanadyum occurs in several minerals, including vanadinite and carnotite, and is commonly produced as a byproduct of mining and processing titaniferous magnetite ores. Major producers include countries with significant magnetite and vanadium-bearing ore resources. The principal refined products are ferrovanadium alloys and vanadium pentoxide, which serve as feedstocks for steelmaking and chemical applications.

Applications of vanadyum are diverse. It is widely used as an alloying element to improve strength, toughness, and heat resistance in steel and specialty alloys. It also serves as a catalyst in chemical processes, including the production of sulfuric acid. In energy storage, vanadium compounds are key components of vanadium redox flow batteries, which store and release energy through redox reactions of vanadium ions in different oxidation states.

Safety considerations include the potential toxicity of certain vanadium compounds and inhalation risks in occupational settings. Proper handling and exposure controls are essential in industrial use.