Rhodium (Rh)
| Symbol | Rh |
| Atomic Number | 45 |
| Atomic Mass | 102.91 g.mol -1 |
| Discovered by | William Wollaston in 1803 |
Chemical Properties of Rhodium
Group
9
Melting point
1963°C, 3565°F, 2236 K
Period
5
Boiling point
3695°C, 6683°F, 3968 K
Block
d
Density (g cm−3)
12.4
Atomic number
45
Relative atomic mass
102.906
State at 20°C
Solid
Key isotopes
103Rh,
Electron configuration
[Kr] 4d85s1
CAS number
7440-16-6
ChemSpider ID
22389
ChemSpider is a free chemical database
What is Rhodium?
- Rhodium is one of the rarest elements, occurring in only one part of 109 in the earth’s crust. It has not been studied extensively and the interpretation of many of the published results are questionable due to uncertainties of the complex species involved. In general, rhodium chemistry resembles that of cobalt and to an even greater extent that of iridium.
- As per the mineralogy of rhodium, only a little information has been collected. The minerals carry some rhodium in rare specimens and its content reaches 5 percent. Sperrylite may contain up to 0.72 percent of rhodium. Its metallic form is not soluble in aqua regia unless alloyed with gold, copper, lead, bismuth or platinum.
- Its metallic form is harder, tougher and has a higher melting point than that of platinum or palladium. It is softer, more ductile and less brittle than metallic iridium.
- Rhodium has a lower specific resistance and stable contact resistance due to the absence of oxide films on its surface. Metallic form of the element behaves more like platinum than palladium with respect to hydrogen. Compact rhodium absorbs very little H2, while finely divided rhodium absorbs H2 readily. Compact rhodium is quite resistant to chemicals and attack by acids, even by aqua regia. Alkaline fusion is the usual technique for oxidizing the metal.
Applications and Uses of Rhodium
- The extraction of this element is an intricate process because the ores mixed with other metals such as silver, platinum, gold, and palladium are rhodium-bearing minerals but are few in number. It is found in platinum ores and extracted as a white inert metal that is difficult to use.
- Rhodium is primarily used in the production of platinum alloys, with resulting resistance materials and high hardness. These alloys are used in turbine reactors, electric ovens, glass industries and in catalytic nets for different chemical reactions.
- The metal is also used in jewelry coating for silver objects and also circuit components, etc. Rhodium is an excellent coating for white gold jewels by the process of electrolytic deposition. This process makes the jewels more resistant and whiter.
| Group | 9 | Melting point | 1963°C, 3565°F, 2236 K |
| Period | 5 | Boiling point | 3695°C, 6683°F, 3968 K |
| Block | d | Density (g cm−3) | 12.4 |
| Atomic number | 45 | Relative atomic mass | 102.906 |
| State at 20°C | Solid | Key isotopes | 103Rh, |
| Electron configuration | [Kr] 4d85s1 | CAS number | 7440-16-6 |
| ChemSpider ID | 22389 | ChemSpider is a free chemical database | |
What is Rhodium?
- Rhodium is one of the rarest elements, occurring in only one part of 109 in the earth’s crust. It has not been studied extensively and the interpretation of many of the published results are questionable due to uncertainties of the complex species involved. In general, rhodium chemistry resembles that of cobalt and to an even greater extent that of iridium.
- As per the mineralogy of rhodium, only a little information has been collected. The minerals carry some rhodium in rare specimens and its content reaches 5 percent. Sperrylite may contain up to 0.72 percent of rhodium. Its metallic form is not soluble in aqua regia unless alloyed with gold, copper, lead, bismuth or platinum.
- Its metallic form is harder, tougher and has a higher melting point than that of platinum or palladium. It is softer, more ductile and less brittle than metallic iridium.
- Rhodium has a lower specific resistance and stable contact resistance due to the absence of oxide films on its surface. Metallic form of the element behaves more like platinum than palladium with respect to hydrogen. Compact rhodium absorbs very little H2, while finely divided rhodium absorbs H2 readily. Compact rhodium is quite resistant to chemicals and attack by acids, even by aqua regia. Alkaline fusion is the usual technique for oxidizing the metal.
Applications and Uses of Rhodium
- The extraction of this element is an intricate process because the ores mixed with other metals such as silver, platinum, gold, and palladium are rhodium-bearing minerals but are few in number. It is found in platinum ores and extracted as a white inert metal that is difficult to use.
- Rhodium is primarily used in the production of platinum alloys, with resulting resistance materials and high hardness. These alloys are used in turbine reactors, electric ovens, glass industries and in catalytic nets for different chemical reactions.
- The metal is also used in jewelry coating for silver objects and also circuit components, etc. Rhodium is an excellent coating for white gold jewels by the process of electrolytic deposition. This process makes the jewels more resistant and whiter.
