A Visual Encyclopedia of the Periodic Table

82

Transition Metals

Blue Ridge mines, South Africa

Forms Uses

Palladium

Pd

46

Palladium is a rare, precious metal: it is

10 times rarer than silver and twice as rare

as gold. Like these metals, palladium has a

shiny surface and does not corrode easily.

Palladium is found pure in nature, but it also

has a few rare minerals, such as braggite. Of its

many applications, the element’s main use

is in catalytic converters, which are devices

used in vehicles to convert poisonous exhaust

gases into less harmful ones. A compound

called palladium chloride is used in carbon

monoxide detectors. Because the element is

This commemorative coin is made from

the palladium produced by the Stillwater

Mining company in Montana, USA.

Carbon monoxide detector

The mines in this area

have a high concentration

of palladium.

Pure form can be produced by

separating it from the ores of other

metals, such as copper and nickel.

This device uses palladium

compounds that change colour

when poisonous carbon monoxide is

detected, which triggers an alarm.

Catalytic

converter

The converter gets

hotter as more

pollutants enter

the exhaust.

Palladium

absorbs

hydrogen, like

a sponge soaking

up water.

aP

ll

da

ui

m

c

oi

n

ref

in

ed

(^) in
(^) a
(^) la
bo
ra
to
ry
Pu
re
(^) p
al
la
di
um
(^) p
el
le
t
State: Solid
46 46 60 Discovery: 1803
082-083_Palladium.indd 82 02/12/16 6:52 pm