|
General
- Tellurium is a
metalloid chemical element which is used in a variety of industries,
primarily in the form of an additive to an assortment of compounds and
alloys.
- Tellurium symbol is
Te and atomic number 52. A brittle silver-white metalloid which looks
like tin, tellurium is chemically related to selenium and sulfur.
Tellurium is primarily used in alloys and as a semiconductor.
- It is relatively rare
on the Earth's surface, and it is usually found in combination with
other materials, such as gold.
- Tellurium can be
isolated through chemical or electrolytic processes. Because of its
rarity, the element can be expensive, especially in a pure form.
- Tellurium and its
compounds are probably toxic and should be handled with care. Workmen
exposed to as little as 0.01 mg/m3 of air, or less, develop "tellurium
breath," which has a garlic-like odor.
Process
- Tellurium is obtained
as a byproduct of the electrolytic refining of copper. Although copper
slimes are valued primarily for gold, silver, and occasionally
platinum-group metals, tellurium is available to the refiner for the
added cost of recovery and refining.
- The process flow for
the production of tellurium can be separated into two stages. The first
stage involves the removal of copper from the copper slimes (an
intermediary product is tellurous acid). The second stage involves the
recovery of tellurium metal and purification of the recovered tellurium.
- A common method for
obtaining tellurium is to pass an electric current through dissolved
tellurium dioxide (TeO2). The current breaks the tellurium dioxide down
into oxygen and tellurium.
Technology
- The alkylmetal
generation technique using methyllithium can be applied to the
determination of trace levels of inorganic tellurium in aqueous samples.
- Thin films of
Tellurium dioxide (TeO2) were investigated for γ-radiation dosimetry
purposes. Samples were fabricated using thin film vapour deposition
technique.
- The feasibility of
growing CdZnTe by liquid phase electroepitaxy. Based on our successful
LPEE system of GaInAs, a new crucible to grow CdZnTe was developed.
- Tellurium in carbon
steels was determined by annular-shaped high power (1.0 kW) nitrogen
microwave induced plasma (N2-MIP) atomic emission spectrometry (AES)
with hydride generation technique.
Uses
- Tellurium improves
the machinability of copper and stainless steel, and its addition to
lead decreases the corrosive action of sulfuric acid on lead and
improves its strength and hardness.
- Tellurium is also
used as a catalyst in the manufacture of synthetic fibers.
- Tellurium is used as
a basic ingredient in blasting caps, and is added to cast iron for chill
control.
- Tellurium is used in
ceramics. Bismuth telluride has been used in thermoelectric devices.
Entrepreneur who wants the
informations on "General Information, Production, Process,
Technology, Applications, Patent, Consultants, Properties, Function, Reports,
Market, Suppliers, Buyers" can
Order
the CD-ROM
Today |
Production, Process,
Technology, Applications, Patent, Consultants, Properties, Reports,
Market
