Noble metal

Definition and Classification of Noble Metals

• Noble metals have little or no tendency to unite with oxygen in the free state.
• They do not alter the composition of water at a red heat.
• The oxides of noble metals are easily decomposed at temperatures below a red heat.
• The high electronegativity values of noble metals result in weakly polar covalent bonding with oxygen.
• Melting points of the oxides of noble metals are listed in the table.

Properties and Characteristics of Noble Metals

• Noble metals include gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and rhodium.
• They are resistant to corrosion and oxidation.
• Noble metals have high melting points and are good conductors of electricity.
• They are often used in jewelry and electrical contacts.
• Noble metals have catalytic properties and are used in various industrial applications.

Applications of Noble Metals

• Gold is used in dentistry, electronics, and as a store of value.
• Silver is used in photography, electrical contacts, and antimicrobial applications.
• Platinum is used in catalytic converters, fuel cells, and jewelry.
• Palladium is used in catalytic converters, electronics, and hydrogen purification.
• Rhodium is used in catalytic converters, glass production, and electroplating.

Environmental and Health Impacts of Noble Metals

• Mining and refining of noble metals can have environmental consequences.
• Noble metals can accumulate in ecosystems and affect aquatic organisms.
• Exposure to certain noble metals may have toxicological effects on human health.
• Efforts are being made to develop sustainable mining and recycling methods for noble metals.
• Proper disposal and recycling of noble metal-containing products are important to minimize environmental impacts.

Synthesis and Fabrication of Noble Metals

• Noble metals can be synthesized through various methods, including chemical reduction and electrochemical deposition.
• Fabrication techniques such as sputtering, evaporation, and electrodeposition are used to deposit noble metals onto substrates.
• Nanostructured noble metals have unique properties and find applications in sensors, catalysis, and optics.
• Atomic layer deposition is a precise technique used to deposit thin films of noble metals.
• Noble metal aerogels are emerging materials with potential applications in energy storage and catalysis.

Noble metal Data Sources