Platinum is a silverish-white transition metal that is dense, malleable, ductile, and highly unreactive. Let us examine the different industrial uses of platinum.
The following are some of the industrial applications of platinum:
- Emissions control in automobiles
- Catalysts for chemical reactions
- Electric and electronic requirements
- Jewelry
- Manufacturing of glass and glass fiber
- Catalysts for the oxidation of ammonia
- Dentistry and medical applications
- Petroleum processing catalysts
- Fuel cells
Emissions control in automobiles
- Platinum group metals are effective automotive emission control catalysts since they catalyze the conversion of nitric oxide to nitrogen as well as the oxidation of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.
- Platinum is a widely known catalyst because of its oxidation capabilities.
- Platinum has the required physical and chemical properties for autocatalysis.
Catalysts for chemical reactions
- Platinum is a powerful catalyst that can improve a wide range of chemical reactions, from pharmaceutical production to CO2 capture from the atmosphere.
- Platinum and platinum alloys are among the most currently being utilized in hydrogen fuel cells for accelerating chemical reactions.
- Platinum is the only metal that can resist the acidic conditions within a cell, but it is expensive, which has limited the widespread use of fuel cells on a large scale.
Electric and electronic requirements
- Metals from the platinum group are frequently used as electrical contacts. Due to their high electrical conductivity.
- The metal platinum is commonly used in integrated circuits. Platinum silicide ohmic and Schottky contacts, on-chip capacitors, and so on are examples.
- Platinum is used in sensors that operate on various electronic devices. Examples of this type of sensor include platinum/zirconia oxygen sensors and platinum temperature sensors.
- Conductors are made of platinum metal alloys. platinum-gold and platinum-palladium-silver are some examples.
- Multilayer ceramic capacitors are made of palladium-silver alloy.
Jewelry
- Platinum jewelry is an excellent choice for a lifespan of wear. Because of its density and weight, it is a long-lasting jewelry metal.
- Platinum is very soft, ranging from 4-5 on the Mohs scale, and is only slightly harder than gold.
- Platinum jewelry maintains its luster better than any other metal because it is hyper-resistant to stress and can withstand both extreme heat and cold.
Manufacturing of glass and glass fiber
- Platinum products have been applied to secure refractory elements in furnaces from the corrosive behavior of molten glass in both general glass manufacturing and fiberglass production.
- Platinum and its alloys are used in the glass industry because they are refractory metals, indestructible, and have thermo-electric properties that allow them to be used as the most accurate temperature control.
Catalysts for the oxidation of ammonia
- Platinum is used as a catalyst in the high-temperature catalytic oxidation of ammonia. Here, the oxidation of ammonia is catalyzed by a coiled platinum wire catalyst.
- Platinum acts as a catalyst by attracting oxygen atoms and allowing them to bind with carbon monoxide to form carbon dioxide.
Dentistry and medical applications
- Platinum is used in the dental industry to make crowns, bridges, pins, and other dental equipment, as well as fillings.
- Many catheters are constructed using platinum. Guidewires made of platinum, for example, are used by surgeons.
Petroleum processing catalysts
- In petroleum refineries, platinum catalysts have been utilized to reform naphtha into high-octane blending components for gasoline. This is recognized as catalytic reforming.
- Aromatics such as benzene, toluene, and xylenes can be produced using a platinum catalyst reforming process.
Fuel cells
- Platinum is required for the electrodes in fuel cell engines. It is deposited on porous electrodes and acts as an electrocatalyst to speed up electrochemical reactions.
- A fuel cell contains 30-60 grams of platinum.
Conclusion
Platinum (Pt) is a precious, hard, silver-white metal with a high melting point and good resistance to corrosion and chemical reaction. It is extremely tarnishing and corrosion resistant, as well as soft and malleable, making it easy to shape. It is also ductile and unreactive, allowing it to be easily stretched into a wire.
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