Ce - Cerium

Cerium is a chemical element with the symbol Ce and atomic number 58. It is a soft, silvery, ductile metal that tarnishes when exposed to air, and it is soft enough to be cut with a knife. Cerium is the second element in the lanthanide series of the periodic table

Physical Characteristics:

• Appearance: Silvery-white, lustrous metal.
• Melting Point: About 798°C (1468°F).
• Boiling Point: About 3424°C (6195°F).
• Density: Approximately 6.77 g/cm³ at 20°C.
• State at Room Temperature: Solid.

Applications:

1. Alloys: Cerium is used in various alloys. For instance, it is added to aluminum, magnesium, and iron-based alloys to improve their properties, such as strength and corrosion resistance.
2. Catalysis: Cerium oxides are widely used as catalysts in catalytic converters in automotive exhaust systems to reduce emissions of toxic gases like CO, NOx, and hydrocarbons.
3. Glass and Ceramics: Cerium is used in the production of glass, both as a colorant and as a decolorizer to counteract the green tints caused by iron impurities. It is also used to polish glass surfaces.

Compounds:

1. Cerium Oxide (CeO2): Also known as ceria, it is widely used as a catalyst in automotive exhaust systems to reduce emissions and in the chemical industry for its oxidative properties. It’s also used in polishing materials for glass and semiconductors.
2. Cerium Sulfate (Ce(SO4)2): Used in analytical chemistry and as a catalyst in organic synthesis.
3. Cerium Chloride (CeCl3): Often used in the synthesis of organic compounds as a Lewis acid catalyst.

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