O que é PLATINA? Propriedades e Aplicações da PLATINA. Importância da Platina em Diferentes Setores

What is platinum? Hey Engineering Lovers, today the topic is about platinum, something that was highly requested here in our comments. So today we are going to introduce you to what this metal is, its main characteristics and properties and where it is most used.

But before platinumizing this video, take the opportunity to subscribe if you are not already subscribed, leave your like, and activate the notification bell and if you find our content interesting, consider becoming a member to help us continue producing content here on the platform and be remembered in our videos. So, what is platinum? Platinum is a chemical element that belongs to the group of transition metals with symbol Pt and atomic number 78.

Platinum is a transition metal at room temperature and is solid. It has a high melting point, around 1,772 degrees Celsius, and an even higher boiling point, around 3,827 degrees Celsius, and these values ​​already indicate that it has high heat resistance. Platinum has a significant density, making it heavier than many other common metals.

It has a silver color and a metallic shine, which contributes to its use in jewelry and valuable objects. It is an inert metal, which means it is resistant to corrosion and oxidation under normal conditions and this makes it extremely valuable in applications where corrosion resistance is essential. It is not easily soluble in strong acids, such as hydrochloric acid (HCl) or nitric acid (HNO₃), which contributes to its stability in aggressive chemical environments.

It is also known for its catalytic properties, which means it can speed up or facilitate chemical reactions without being consumed in the process. This makes it valuable in catalysts used in industrial processes, such as chemical manufacturing and fuel purification. Like other metals, platinum is malleable and ductile, and can be shaped into thin wires or sheets without losing its properties.

It is also a good conductor of electricity and heat, which makes it useful in various electrical and electronic applications. But when was platinum discovered? It was discovered by Europeans only in South America, during exploration expeditions in the 16th century.

It is believed to have been observed for the first time by the Spanish in the region we now know as Colombia. However, they initially did not recognize its value and considered it an unwanted substance as it hindered gold extraction . The word "platinum" has its origins in the Spanish term "platina del plata," which means "silver from the River Plate," a large estuary located in South America, close to Argentina and Uruguay.

This name was originally used by the Spanish to describe its similarity to silver. It was only in the 18th century that platinum began to be recognized as a valuable metal in its own right. Spanish scientist Antonio de Ulloa took samples of platinum from South America to Europe in 1748, where it began to attract more attention.

Over the years, platinum was studied more deeply by many chemists and scientists, and its value as a precious metal and its unique properties were gradually understood. And how is platinum extracted? Extraction Platinum is a complex process involving several steps.

It is often found together with other minerals, such as nickel and copper, and its extraction may involve ores that contain sulfides. The first step is exploration and drilling: Platinum is often found in mineral deposits associated with igneous rocks. Geologists identify promising areas and drill to collect samples and determine the economic viability of extraction.

Once an economically viable deposit has been identified, we move on to the mining itself. It may involve open pit or underground methods, depending on the location and nature of the deposit. Once the ore containing platinum has been collected, we move on to the crushing and grinding stage.

This is done to reduce the size of the miner particles into smaller particles, facilitating subsequent processes. After that we move on to the flotation stage. Flotation is often used to separate sulfide minerals, including platinum, from unwanted minerals.

The process involves the addition of chemical agents that cause the platinum particles to become hydrophobic, allowing them to separate from the remaining minerals. Once separated, we move on to the smelting step: After concentrating the platinum, the resulting concentrate is melted to produce a raw material, often called "matte," that contains the platinum. This "matte" goes through a refining process, which can involve several methods, such as solvent refining or electrolytic refining.

During this process, impurities such as nickel, copper and iron are removed, resulting in purer platinum. And what are the main applications of platinum? It has a variety of applications due to its unique physical and chemical properties.

Platinum is widely used in automotive catalytic converters to convert harmful gases such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons into less harmful substances. These catalysts are essential to reduce pollutant emissions in internal combustion vehicles. Due to its resistance to corrosion, platinum is used in chemical equipment and processes, especially in aggressive environments.

It is used in containers, pipes and catalysts for various industrial chemical reactions. It is also highly valued in the jewelry industry for its beauty, durability and corrosion resistance resembling silver. Many high-quality jewelry, especially rings and earrings, are made from platinum.

Due to its excellent electrical conductivity, platinum is used in a variety of electronic components such as sensors, connectors and electrodes. For example, spark plugs for internal combustion engines use platinum due to its ability to withstand high temperatures and its resistance to corrosion. It is also used in medical devices, such as catheters and electrodes, due to its biocompatibility and corrosion resistance.

Scientific equipment, such as laboratory instruments and sensors, often incorporate platinum due to its chemical stability. It is important to say that platinum is also considered a precious metal and is used in financial investments, similar to gold and silver. However, its use in this context is less common than that of these other precious metals.

These are just some of the main applications of platinum and its versatility and unique properties make it a valuable material in several industries. So, did you know about these properties of platinum? Are there any platinum objects lying around?

Leave it here in the comments and I want to know. Next door, there are two video options that you might like and that will help you increase your knowledge. And if you want to contribute to us, leave your like, subscribe to the channel, activate the bell and consider becoming a member of the channel.