Interesting6 Feb 2021 23:48
What is palladium used for?
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Below are some of the top uses of palladium across a range of industries.
Catalytic converters – The biggest use of palladium by a large margin, is in the automotive industry, and specifically catalytic converters. Palladium acts as an excellent catalyst, and helps turn some of the polluting compounds expelled as part of an internal combustion engine into less harmful components. These compounds – such as hydrocarbons and nitrogen – are highly damaging to humans and the environment, and have been subject to strict regulations in recent years. For years platinum was the metal of choice for manufacturers but, as prices climbed, they turned to palladium as the viable alternative.
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Precious metal investment – As the current highest valued precious metal, it should come as no surprise that palladium is now highly valued as an investment asset. Palladium coins have been issued since 1966, and today a number of mints and refiners produce coins and bars made from this extremely valuable metal.
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White Gold jewellery – Although yellow gold is traditional for jewellery, white gold is also a popular choice, and palladium is one of the metals that is used in white gold alloys. Palladium is also used for jewellery in purer forms, usually at 950 fineness due to its softness.
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Electronics – In the electronics industry, palladium is used for electrical contacts, in ceramic capacitors and for soldering materials.
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Dentistry – In dental amalgams small amounts of palladium are used to help fight against corrosion, and increase the lustre of the filling. This is typically done at less than 0.5% palladium; with mercury, silver, tin and copper commonly making up the rest.
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Transverse flutes – Professional, concert-grade flutes, are often made of precious metals. Although sterling silver is a common material, palladium is sometimes used to produce the tubes inside these flutes.
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Photographic printing – Similar to silver, palladium salts are often used as a light sensitive material used in printing. Palladium salts produce a unique tonal quality that was used extensively in the late 19th century, and today are used in artistic appreciation of the style.
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Hydrogen purification and storage – Palladium’s ability to absorb hydrogen has seen it used to purify, and safely store, the highly volatile element hydrogen. This is useful for fuel cells; hydrogen is a highly efficient fuel source and finding ways to store large amounts safely could help power technologies of the future. In particular, nano-particles of palladium have been found to be even more efficient in absorbing hydrogen, and research is ongoing into how this can be used.
For me the big cases is hydrogen, I know BEV are currently dominating the market and probably will do so for decades but Hydrogen when it’s more cost effective to produce will be a great additional for a sustainable future.
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