Some Interesting Facts About Platinum

Platinum, often referred to as the “white gold,” stands as one of the most coveted and versatile precious metals in the world. It boasts a range of remarkable properties that make it highly valuable and useful in a variety of industries. The vast majority of platinum production occurs in South Africa and Russia, with a few other nations contributing to the supply. This article explores the fascinating world of platinum, delving into its properties, history, industrial applications, and much more.

Properties of Platinum:

Platinum’s allure is deeply rooted in its unique properties. It is silvery-white in appearance, which led to its historical moniker as “white gold.” Its appeal is not only aesthetic but functional, making it indispensable in a wide array of applications.

One of the standout features of platinum is its resistance to tarnishing and corrosion. This resilience to environmental factors has earned it the title of a “noble metal.” It doesn’t easily succumb to rust or other forms of deterioration, making it a reliable choice for jewelry and industrial purposes alike.

Platinum’s malleability is another notable attribute. It is an exceptionally soft and ductile metal, which means it can be easily shaped and formed into intricate designs. Jewelers often use platinum due to its workability and ability to hold intricate details, creating stunning pieces of jewelry.

Additionally, platinum exhibits excellent ductility, allowing it to be drawn into fine wires with ease. This property has industrial applications, especially in the creation of fine electrical wires used in various electronic devices.

Remarkably, platinum is inert, which means it does not oxidize or react with common acids. This stability makes it a reliable material for diverse chemical and industrial processes, ensuring that it maintains its integrity even under demanding conditions.

As a member of the transition metal group, platinum shares a category with other renowned elements such as gold, silver, copper, and titanium. These metals exhibit similar atomic structures that make them compatible for bonding with other elements, further expanding their utility.

Industrial Applications:

While platinum is often associated with fine jewelry and aesthetics, its primary uses lie in the industrial domain. Some of its key applications include:

Catalytic Converters: Approximately half of the world’s mined platinum is used in catalytic converters. These crucial components in automobiles are responsible for transforming toxic gases from the engine into less harmful emissions. Platinum’s exceptional resistance to high temperatures makes it invaluable for these emissions-reducing oxidation reactions, contributing to cleaner air and reduced pollution.
Electrical Contacts: Platinum’s excellent electrical conductivity and resistance to corrosion make it ideal for electrical contacts in various devices. It ensures stable and efficient electrical connections, even in demanding environments.
Pacemakers: The biocompatibility of platinum, due to its non-toxic and stable nature, makes it a preferred choice for medical applications. It is used in pacemakers, ensuring the longevity and reliability of these life-saving devices.
Pharmaceuticals: Platinum-based drugs, such as cisplatin, are widely used in cancer treatment. They exhibit remarkable effectiveness against certain types of cancer cells, and ongoing research continues to explore their potential in fighting cancer.
Magnets: Platinum finds application in the production of magnets, particularly in specialized, high-performance magnets used in various industries, including aerospace and electronics.

Fascinating Facts about Platinum:

Now, let’s delve into some intriguing and lesser-known facts about platinum:

Cancer Treatment: Platinum-based drugs, like cisplatin, are essential in the treatment of cancer. Approximately 50 percent of patients undergoing cancer treatment currently use drugs containing platinum. What sets platinum apart in this field is its biocompatibility. It is non-toxic and stable, ensuring it does not react with or harm body tissues. Recent studies have even shown that platinum has the potential to inhibit the growth of specific cancer cells.
Limited Production: Analysts predict that platinum production is unlikely to experience significant growth in the coming years. The lion’s share of platinum, about 80 percent, is sourced from South Africa, with an additional 10 percent coming from Russia. The rest is divided among North and South America. Platinum is often a by-product of mining other metals, and deeper mining has become necessary, resulting in higher production costs.
Catalytic Converters: Nearly half of all platinum mined worldwide is channeled into the production of catalytic converters. These essential components in vehicles contribute significantly to reducing harmful emissions. Platinum’s capability to withstand the high temperatures necessary for emissions-reducing oxidation reactions is pivotal in this context.
International Standard for Kilograms: A cylindrical piece of platinum and platinum alloy serves as the international standard for measuring kilograms. In the 1880s, approximately 40 of these cylinders, each weighing about 2.2 pounds or 1 kilogram, were distributed globally.
Rare Platinum Group Metals (PGMs): Platinum is part of the Platinum Group Metals, a set of some of the rarest elements on Earth. This group comprises two subcategories: palladium-platinum group elements (PPGE) and iridium-platinum group elements (IPGE). PPGE includes platinum, palladium, and rhodium, while IPGE encompasses iridium, osmium, and ruthenium. These metals are renowned for their resistance to tarnishing, high heat tolerance, and outstanding electrical conductivity.
Historical Discoveries: The historical significance of platinum dates back to around 700 BC, with items containing platinum artifacts. Malleable platinum, obtainable through refining to a nearly pure state, was first achieved by the French physicist P.F. Shabano in 1789. It was used to create a platinum bowl presented to Pope Pius VI. Palladium’s discovery in 1802, announced by the English chemist William Wollaston, marked another milestone in the exploration of platinum group metals. Subsequently, Wollaston revealed the presence of rhodium in platinum ore. The discovery of iridium and osmium, named after the goddess of the rainbow and due to its smell, respectively, was claimed by the British chemist Smithson Tennant in 1803.
Platinum Trade: While London serves as the epicenter of the platinum trade, physical delivery usually occurs in Zurich, Switzerland. The NYMEX CME division offers platinum futures contracts, with each contract representing 50 ounces of the metal. The price of platinum is closely linked to global industrial conditions, with its peak price reaching $2,300 per ounce in 2008, just before the 2008 global economic crisis.
Complex Refining: Platinum metals stand apart from gold and silver in terms of refining. While gold and silver can be relatively easily isolated in pure states through simple fire refining, platinum metals require complex water-chemical treatments for their extraction and identification. These methods were not available until the early 19th century, resulting in a significant lag in the recognition and utilization of platinum group metals. Additionally, the high melting points of these metals limited their use until researchers developed methods for consolidating and processing platinum into practical forms.
Shift from Jewelry to Industry: While platinum initially gained prominence in the realm of jewelry around 1900, its industrial applications quickly took precedence. After World War II, the expansion of molecular conversion techniques in petroleum refining created a substantial demand for the catalytic properties of platinum metals. This demand surged further in the 1970s as automotive emission standards in the United States and Europe led to the widespread use of platinum metals in catalytic exhaust gas conversion.
Resource-Intensive Mining: Platinum mining represents a significant investment of both capital and labor. It can take up to six months and 7 to 12 tons of ore to produce a single troy ounce, equivalent to 31.135 grams, of pure platinum. The first step in this process involves crushing the platinum-containing ore and immersing it in a reagent containing water, a process known as “froth flotation.” During this stage, air is pumped through the ore-water suspension, causing platinum particles to chemically bond with oxygen and rise to the surface as foam. This foam is then skimmed off for further cleaning.

Following this, the concentrated powder still contains less than 1 percent platinum. To further purify the metal, it is heated to temperatures exceeding 2732°F (1500°C) in electric furnaces, and air is blown through it to remove iron and sulfur impurities. Electrolytic and chemical methods are employed to extract other valuable metals such as nickel, copper, and cobalt, resulting in a concentrate containing 15-20 percent platinum group metals. Aqua regia, a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids, is used to dissolve platinum metal from the mineral concentrate by forming chlorine, which combines with platinum to create chloroplatinic acid. In the final step, ammonium chloride is utilized to convert chloroplatinic acid into ammonium hexachloroplatinate, a compound that can be burned to yield pure platinum metal.

One piece of good news is that not all platinum is sourced from primary mining, a lengthy and costly process. According to statistics from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), about 30 percent of the 8.53 million ounces of platinum produced annually worldwide is derived from recycled sources. The recycling of platinum plays a crucial role in conserving this valuable natural resource and supporting its future utilization.

Platinum is available in various forms, including ingots, flakes, sponges, powder, wire, gauze, crucibles, laboratory and thermocouple wire, and medical equipment. The specific processing conditions are determined individually based on the type and quantity of platinum scrap available and the specific services required.

Remarks:

Platinum’s illustrious journey through history, from its early discovery in ancient artifacts to its indispensable role in modern industry, is a testament to the enduring value and versatility of this precious metal. With its resistance to tarnish, exceptional workability, and impressive conductivity, platinum remains a sought-after material in both artistic and technological realms. Its vital role in catalytic converters, electrical contacts, pacemakers, pharmaceuticals, and more illustrates its significant impact on contemporary life. As the world continues to explore innovative applications for platinum, its enduring legacy as a “noble metal” remains secure, promising a future where its unique properties will continue to shape various industries and technologies.

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