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Cerium
Cerium (Ce) is a soft, ductile, silvery-white rare earth element and the most abundant of the lanthanides. It has a melting point of 795 °C and is known for its high chemical reactivity, particularly its ability to oxidize readily in air. Cerium is commonly obtained from bastnäsite and monazite ores and extracted through solvent extraction and ion exchange techniques.
Goodfellow’s comprehensive range of Cerium products, including Cerium Foils, Pellets, Powders, and Sputtering Targets, is essential for advanced research and industrial applications. Known for its high oxidation resistance and catalytic behavior, Cerium is highly valuable in industries and applications such as environmental remediation, energy storage, and material science. Cerium-based materials are widely used in catalyst development, the production of phosphors for display technology, and in the manufacturing and fabrication of rare-earth alloys. Our high-purity Cerium products support research in electronics, renewable energy, and advanced materials, enabling the development of innovative solutions across these dynamic sectors.
Properties
Identifiers
Isotopes
Applications
Grades
Synonyms
General Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Atomic Number | 58 |
| Density | 6.770 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 795 °C |
| Boiling Point | 3443 °C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 11.3 W/m·K |
| Electrical Resistivity | 82 nΩ·m |
| Crystal Structure | Face-Centered Cubic (FCC) |
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 230 MPa (approximate) |
| Yield Strength | Unknown / Not well defined |
| Young’s Modulus | 33 GPa |
| Hardness | Brinell ~400 (approximate) |
| Elongation at Break | ~25% |
| Poisson’s Ratio | 0.24 |
Chemical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Corrosion Resistance | Poor in air; forms protective oxide layer |
| Reactivity | Reacts with water and oxygen; ignites if finely divided |
| Oxidation States | +3, +4 |
| Surface Oxide | Forms CeO₂ and Ce₂O₃ in air |
| Identifier | Value |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Ce |
| Atomic Number | 58 |
| CAS Number | 7440-45-1 |
| UN Number | UN3089 (powder) |
| EINECS Number | 231-154-9 |
| Isotope | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ce-136 | Stable | Natural abundance: ~0.19% |
| Ce-138 | Stable | Natural abundance: ~0.25% |
| Ce-140 | Stable | Natural abundance: ~88.45% |
| Ce-142 | Stable | Natural abundance: ~11.12% |
Scientific Applications
| Use Case | Description |
|---|---|
| Catalysis Research | Studied for its redox properties in oxidation/reduction reactions |
| Glass Science | Used to develop advanced optical and UV-blocking materials |
| Fuel Cells | Explored for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) components |
| Nanomaterials | Employed in cerium oxide nanoparticles for biomedical research |
| Photonics | Used in luminescent and phosphor materials for lasers and LEDs |
Industrial Applications
| Use Case | Description |
|---|---|
| Catalytic Converters | Key component for reducing automotive exhaust emissions |
| Glass Polishing | Main ingredient in precision polishing powders for optics |
| Alloy Additive | Improves oxidation resistance and machinability in metals |
| Ignition Systems | Used in mischmetal alloys for flints in lighters and torches |
| Ceramics | Used in high-performance ceramics and pigments |
| Purity | Applications | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 90% (1N) | Used in general-purpose industrial applications such as alloy production and glass polishing | Economical grade suitable where ultra-high purity is not required |
| 99.9% (3N) | Ideal for catalysis, fuel cell research, and advanced optical materials | High-purity grade preferred in scientific and high-tech applications |
| Synonym |
|---|
| Ce |
| Ce metal |
| Ce element |
| Cerium metal |
| Cerium element |
| Cerium rare earth metal |
| Cerium rare earth element |
| Element 58 |