Palladium Basics

• Palladium is one of the platinum group of metals, which includes others such as ruthenium, osmium and iridium, in addition to platinum itself. Like steel it is silvery-white in color, and like platinum it remains shiny when exposed to air, with minimal oxidation and no corrosion. Palladium is the least dense of the metals in this group, and has the lowest melting point, though still high compared to many other metals. It is widely used in alloys for manufacturing purposes, and is commonly used to make white gold for jewelry.
  
  

Palladium as a Metal

• Palladium's direct use as a metal derives from a few specific characteristics. It is extremely ductile, and can be used to make a foil leaf only 1/250,000 of an inch in thickness for covering other surfaces. Like gold and platinum it is characterized as a "noble metal" for its reluctance to oxidize and tarnish. Palladium is often used in place of platinum in jewelry design at times when it is more affordable. Palladium's conductivity is valued in the manufacture of electronics, and it is present in every computer and mobile device.
  
  

Palladium and Hydrogen

• Palladium's most striking chemical characteristic is its ability to absorb oxygen at room temperature, up to 900 times its own volume. Various chemical and manufacturing processes utilize this ability for hydrogen storage or purification. It is also used to control hydrogen exchange between chemical agents, and in that application plays a crucial role in the production of nylon and synthetic rubber. Should hydrogen become a mainstream fuel, this characteristic of palladium will ensure that market demand remains high.
  
  

Palladium as a Catalyst

• Palladium is a remarkable catalyst. This ability to influence chemical reactions in other substances makes palladium a crucial ingredient in catalytic converters, which break down automobile exhaust into less-damaging gases. It is widely used in other physical devices and chemical or manufacturing processes, where its prowess with oxygen and hydrogen in particular are valued. The 2010 Nobel Prize in chemistry was awarded to Purdue University's Ei-ichi Negishi for his use of palladium as a catalyst to synthesize unusually complex organic carbon molecules, similar to those used in life forms.