Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Platinum shopping experience:
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2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about
3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Platinum? Wrong! If the Platinum is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.
4. Questions - Got a question about Platinum then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....
5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Platinum? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Platinum and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.
6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Platinum wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.
7. Feedback - happy with your Platinum then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.
8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Platinum site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site
9. Contact - got a question about Platinum, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.
10. Payment - ready to pay for your Platinum, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.
{{Elementbox_isotopes_decay | mn=190 | sym=Pt| na=0.014% | hl=6.5×1011 [year
| dm=[alpha decay | de=3.18 | pn=186 | ps=[osmium -->
{{Elementbox_isotopes_decay | mn=191 | sym=Pt| na=[synthetic radioisotope | hl=2.96 d
| dm=[electron capture | de=? | pn=191 | ps=[iridium -->
{{Elementbox_isotopes_decay | mn=193 | sym=Pt| na=[synthetic radioisotope | hl=50 [year
| dm=[electron capture | de=? | pn=193 | ps=[iridium -->
{{Elementbox_isotopes_decay | mn=193nuclear isomer | sym=Pt| na=[synthetic radioisotope | hl=4.33 d
| dm=[Internal conversion | de=0.1355[Conversion electron | pn=193 | ps=Pt -->
{{Elementbox_isotopes_decay | mn=195nuclear isomer | sym=Pt| na=[synthetic radioisotope | hl=4.02 d
| dm=[Internal conversion | de=0.1297[Conversion electron | pn=195 | ps=Pt -->
{{Elementbox_isotopes_decay | mn=197 | sym=Pt| na=[synthetic radioisotope | hl=19.8913 h
| dm=[beta emission- | de=0.719 | pn=197 | ps=[gold -->
{{Elementbox_isotopes_decay | mn=197nuclear isomer | sym=Pt| na=[synthetic radioisotope | hl=1.59 h
| dm=[Internal conversion | de=0.3465 | pn=197 | ps=Pt -->
This page is about the chemical element. For other uses, see Platinum (disambiguation).
Platinum (International Phonetic Alphabet: ) is a chemical element in the periodic table that has the
atomic symbol Pt and an atomic number of 78. A heavy, malleable, ductile, precious metal, grey-white
transition metal, platinum is resistant to corrosion and occurs in some nickel and copper ores along with some native deposits. Platinum is used in jewellery, laboratory equipment,
electrical contacts, dentistry, and
automobile emissions control devices. Platinum
bullion has the ISO 4217 of XPT.
Notable characteristics
When pure, the metal appears greyish-white and firm. The metal is
corrosion-resistant. The
catalyst properties of the six platinum family metals are outstanding. For this catalytic property, platinum is used in catalytic converters, incorporated in automobile exhaust systems, as well as tips of spark plugs.
Platinum's wear- and tarnish-resistance characteristics are well suited for making fine jewellery. Platinum is more precious than gold. The price of platinum changes along with its availability, but its price is normally slightly less than twice that of gold. In the 18th century, platinum's rarity made King Louis XV of France declare it the only metal fit for a king.
Platinum possesses high resistance to chemical attack, excellent high-temperature characteristics, and stable electrical properties. All these properties have been exploited for industrial applications. Platinum does not
oxidation in air at any temperature, but can be corroded by
cyanides,
halogens, sulfur, and caustic alkalis. This metal is insoluble in
hydrochloric acid and nitric acid, but does dissolve in the mixture known as
aqua regia (forming
chloroplatinic acid). Common
oxidation states of platinum include +2, and +4. The +1 and +3 oxidation states are less common, and are often stabilized by metal bonding in bimetallic (or polymetallic) species.The gold is removed from this solution as a precipitate by treatment with iron(II) chloride (FeCl2). The platinum is precipitated out as impure (NH4)2PtCl6 on treatment with NH4Cl, leaving H2PdCl4 in solution.
Applications
- As a catalyst in the catalytic converter, an optional (though often mandatory by law) component of the gasoline-fueled automobile exhaust system (see "Notable characteristics" in this article).
- As a catalyst in fuel cells. Reducing the amount of platinum required (and thus cost) is a major focus of fuel cell research.
- Certain platinum-containing compounds are capable of crosslinking DNA and kill cells by similar pathways to alkylating chemotherapy. Cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin are licensed examples of this class of drugs.
- Resistance thermometers.
- Electrodes for use in electrolysis.
- In the Clark electrode for measuring oxygen tension.
- A wide range of jewelery
- As a catalyst in the curing of silicone elastomers.
- As a catalyst in glow plugs in some model engines.
- Crucibles for high temperature melting of glass (for example) up to 1500°C better if alloyed with rhodium (10–40% of Rh).
- In photography, it is sometimes used for archival printmaking. Platinum prints display a greater range of tones than other Black and White printing methods. Additionally platinum's chemical stability makes for extremely long-lasting prints. The disadvantage of this method, in addition to the high cost, is that platinum is less light sensitive and prints must be contact printed at the same size as the negative. Therefore, enlargements can only be made by making an enlarged negative.
History
Naturally-occurring platinum and platinum-rich alloys have been known for a long time. Though the metal was used by pre-Columbian Native Americans, the first European reference to platinum appears in 1557 in the writings of the
Italy humanist Julius Caesar Scaliger (1484–1558) as a description of a mysterious metal found in Central American mines between Darién (
Panama) and Mexico ("up until now impossible to melt by any of the Spanish arts"). The word
platinum comes from the Spanish word
platina, meaning "little silver."
Platinum was discussed by astronomer
Antonio de Ulloa and Don
Jorge Juan y Santacilia (1713–1773), both appointed by King Philip V of Spain to join a French Geodesic Mission in Peru that lasted from 1735 to
1745. Amongst other things, Ulloa observed the
platina del pinto, the unworkable metal found with gold in Viceroyalty of New Granada (Colombia). British
privateers intercepted Ulloa's ship on the return voyage. Though he was well-treated in England, and even made a member of the
Royal Society he was prevented from publishing a reference to the unknown metal until 1748. Before that could happen
Charles Wood (scientist) independently isolated the element in
1741. Major finds were discovered in Russia in 1819, which produced around 90% of the global Platinum production at the turn of the 20th century., pages 39-40
Due to its rarity, greater difficulty to work with and the need to alloy it with (at the time) an even more expensive metal iridium, platinum was only used in a limited way in jewelry at the end of the 19th century. This changed at beginning of the 20th century when most diamond ring mountings and most exclusive jewelry were almost completely made of platinum.
Occurrence
Platinum is an extremely rare metal, occurring as only 5 Parts-per notation#Types of Parts-per Notations in the
Earth's
crust (geology). In 2005, South Africa was the top producer of platinum with almost 80% world share followed by Russia, and Canada, reports the
British Geological Survey.
Platinum is often found chemically uncombined as native platinum and
alloyed with iridium as
platiniridium. The platinum
arsenide, sperrylite (PtAs2), is a major source of platinum associated with
nickel ores in the Sudbury Basin deposit in
Ontario,
Canada. The rare sulfide mineral
cooperite, (Pt,Pd,Ni)S, contains platinum along with
palladium and nickel. Cooperite occurs in the Merensky Reef within the
Bushveld complex,
Gauteng, South Africa.
Platinum, often accompanied by small amounts of other platinum family metals, occurs in
alluvium Placer mining deposits in the Witwatersrand of South Africa, Colombia,
Ontario, the
Ural Mountains, and in certain eastern
United States states.
Platinum is produced commercially as a by-product of nickel ore processing in the Sudbury deposit. The huge quantities of nickel ore processed makes up for the fact that platinum is present as only 0.5
parts per million in the ore.
Platinum exists in relatively higher abundances on the Moon and in asteroids - much terrestrial platinum is mined where asteroids have hit.
Precautions
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, short-term exposure to platinum salts "may cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat" and long-term exposure "may cause both respiratory and skin allergies." The current OSHA standard is 0.002 milligram per cubic meter of air averaged over an 8-hour work shift.
Certain platinum complexes are used in chemotherapy and show good anti-tumor activity for some tumours. Cisplatin is particularly effective against testicular cancer; cure rate was improved from 10% to 85%. However, the side effects are severe. Cisplatin causes cumulative, irreversible kidney damage and deafness.
As platinum is a catalyst in the manufacture of the silicone rubber and gel components of several types of
implant (medicine) (breast implants, joint replacement prosthetics, artificial lumbar discs, vascular access ports), the possibility that platinum free radicals could enter the body and cause adverse effects has merited study. The FDA and other countries have reviewed the issue and found no evidence to suggest toxicity in vivo.
Rarity and color
Platinum's rarity as a metal has caused advertisers to associate it with exclusivity and wealth. "Platinum" credit cards have greater privileges than do "gold" ones. "Platinum awards" are the second highest possible, ranking above gold, silver and
bronze, but below "Diamond". For example, a musical album that has sold more than 1,000,000 copies, will be credited as "platinum,” whereas an album that sold more than 10,000,000 copies will be certifed as “diamond.” And some products, such as blenders and vehicles, with a silvery-white color are identified as "platinum". Platinum is considered a precious metal, although its use is not as common as the use of gold or silver. The frame of the
Crown of Queen Elizabeth, manufactured for her Coronation as Consort of King George VI, is made of platinum. It was the first British crown to be made of that metal. symbol for platinum (shown right) was made by joining the symbols of silver and gold.
Production
In order to obtain pure platinum, the ore is crushed, made into a slurry, and then mixed with a detergent containing 'collector' molecules. Air is then blown through the mixture, enabling the grains of metal minerals to be separated from the rest of the mixture. This process is called "flotation" or "mineral beneficialness". The next step is smelting.
In 2006, world supply of platinum was of about 217,700 kg or 7 million troy ounces. Johnson Matthey 2006 supply and demand chartsAverage Platinum price in 2006 was of US$1200 per troy ounce (~$40/g), representing a significant increase from the 2005 average of US$900 per troy oz. Historical Platinum Charts and Data — London Fix
See also
- Platinum coin
- :Category:Platinum compounds
- Platinum group
- Platinum in Africa
- Merensky Reef
- Precious metal
- Palladium
References
- Los Alamos National Laboratory — Platinum
- Nuclides and Isotopes Fourteenth Edition: Chart of the Nuclides, General Electric Company, 1989.
- Jefferson Lab — The Element Platinum
External links
- Kitco Platinum prices
- The Platinum Group Metals Database
- A balanced historical account of the sequence of discoveries of platinum; illustrated.
- WebElements.com — Platinum
- Platinum Metals Review E-Journal
- Platinum Guild International
- Platinum - Redefinition of Noble Metals
- United States Geological Survey Platinum-Group Metals Statistics and Information
{{Elementbox_isotopes_decay | mn=190 | sym=Pt| na=0.014% | hl=6.5×1011 [year
| dm=[alpha decay | de=3.18 | pn=186 | ps=[osmium -->
{{Elementbox_isotopes_decay | mn=191 | sym=Pt| na=[synthetic radioisotope | hl=2.96 d
| dm=[electron capture | de=? | pn=191 | ps=[iridium -->
{{Elementbox_isotopes_decay | mn=193 | sym=Pt| na=[synthetic radioisotope | hl=50 [year
| dm=[electron capture | de=? | pn=193 | ps=[iridium -->
{{Elementbox_isotopes_decay | mn=193nuclear isomer | sym=Pt| na=[synthetic radioisotope | hl=4.33 d
| dm=[Internal conversion | de=0.1355[Conversion electron | pn=193 | ps=Pt -->
{{Elementbox_isotopes_decay | mn=195nuclear isomer | sym=Pt| na=[synthetic radioisotope | hl=4.02 d
| dm=[Internal conversion | de=0.1297[Conversion electron | pn=195 | ps=Pt -->
{{Elementbox_isotopes_decay | mn=197 | sym=Pt| na=[synthetic radioisotope | hl=19.8913 h
| dm=[beta emission- | de=0.719 | pn=197 | ps=[gold -->
{{Elementbox_isotopes_decay | mn=197
nuclear isomer | sym=Pt| na=[synthetic radioisotope | hl=1.59 h
| dm=[Internal conversion | de=0.3465 | pn=197 | ps=Pt -->
This page is about the chemical element. For other uses, see Platinum (disambiguation).
Platinum (
International Phonetic Alphabet: ) is a
chemical element in the periodic table that has the
atomic symbol Pt and an
atomic number of 78. A heavy, malleable, ductile,
precious metal, grey-white transition metal, platinum is resistant to corrosion and occurs in some nickel and
copper ores along with some native deposits. Platinum is used in
jewellery, laboratory equipment, electrical contacts, dentistry, and automobile emissions control devices. Platinum bullion has the ISO 4217 of XPT.
Notable characteristics
When pure, the
metal appears greyish-white and firm. The metal is
corrosion-resistant. The
catalyst properties of the six
platinum family metals are outstanding. For this catalytic property, platinum is used in
catalytic converters, incorporated in
automobile exhaust systems, as well as tips of
spark plugs.
Platinum's wear- and tarnish-resistance characteristics are well suited for making fine jewellery. Platinum is more precious than
gold. The price of platinum changes along with its availability, but its price is normally slightly less than twice that of gold. In the
18th century, platinum's rarity made King
Louis XV of France declare it the only metal fit for a king.
Platinum possesses high resistance to chemical attack, excellent high-temperature characteristics, and stable electrical properties. All these properties have been exploited for industrial applications. Platinum does not oxidation in air at any temperature, but can be corroded by
cyanides, halogens, sulfur, and caustic
alkalis. This metal is insoluble in hydrochloric acid and nitric acid, but does dissolve in the mixture known as
aqua regia (forming chloroplatinic acid). Common
oxidation states of platinum include +2, and +4. The +1 and +3 oxidation states are less common, and are often stabilized by metal bonding in bimetallic (or polymetallic) species.The gold is removed from this solution as a precipitate by treatment with iron(II) chloride (FeCl2). The platinum is precipitated out as impure (NH4)2PtCl6 on treatment with NH4Cl, leaving H2PdCl4 in solution.
Applications
- As a catalyst in the catalytic converter, an optional (though often mandatory by law) component of the gasoline-fueled automobile exhaust system (see "Notable characteristics" in this article).
- As a catalyst in fuel cells. Reducing the amount of platinum required (and thus cost) is a major focus of fuel cell research.
- Certain platinum-containing compounds are capable of crosslinking DNA and kill cells by similar pathways to alkylating chemotherapy. Cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin are licensed examples of this class of drugs.
- Resistance thermometers.
- Electrodes for use in electrolysis.
- In the Clark electrode for measuring oxygen tension.
- A wide range of jewelery
- As a catalyst in the curing of silicone elastomers.
- As a catalyst in glow plugs in some model engines.
- Crucibles for high temperature melting of glass (for example) up to 1500°C better if alloyed with rhodium (10–40% of Rh).
- In photography, it is sometimes used for archival printmaking. Platinum prints display a greater range of tones than other Black and White printing methods. Additionally platinum's chemical stability makes for extremely long-lasting prints. The disadvantage of this method, in addition to the high cost, is that platinum is less light sensitive and prints must be contact printed at the same size as the negative. Therefore, enlargements can only be made by making an enlarged negative.
History
Naturally-occurring platinum and platinum-rich alloys have been known for a long time. Though the metal was used by
pre-Columbian Native Americans, the first European reference to platinum appears in 1557 in the writings of the Italy humanist
Julius Caesar Scaliger (1484–
1558) as a description of a mysterious metal found in Central American mines between Darién (
Panama) and Mexico ("up until now impossible to melt by any of the Spanish arts"). The word
platinum comes from the Spanish word
platina, meaning "little silver."
Platinum was discussed by
astronomer Antonio de Ulloa and Don
Jorge Juan y Santacilia (1713–
1773), both appointed by King Philip V of Spain to join a French Geodesic Mission in Peru that lasted from
1735 to
1745. Amongst other things, Ulloa observed the
platina del pinto, the unworkable metal found with gold in
Viceroyalty of New Granada (Colombia). British
privateers intercepted Ulloa's ship on the return voyage. Though he was well-treated in England, and even made a member of the Royal Society he was prevented from publishing a reference to the unknown metal until
1748. Before that could happen Charles Wood (scientist) independently isolated the element in
1741. Major finds were discovered in Russia in 1819, which produced around 90% of the global Platinum production at the turn of the 20th century., pages 39-40
Due to its rarity, greater difficulty to work with and the need to alloy it with (at the time) an even more expensive metal iridium, platinum was only used in a limited way in jewelry at the end of the 19th century. This changed at beginning of the 20th century when most diamond ring mountings and most exclusive jewelry were almost completely made of platinum.
Occurrence
Platinum is an extremely rare metal, occurring as only 5 Parts-per notation#Types of Parts-per Notations in the Earth's crust (geology). In 2005, South Africa was the top producer of platinum with almost 80% world share followed by Russia, and Canada, reports the British Geological Survey.
Platinum is often found chemically uncombined as native platinum and
alloyed with
iridium as platiniridium. The platinum
arsenide,
sperrylite (PtAs2), is a major source of platinum associated with
nickel ores in the Sudbury Basin deposit in
Ontario,
Canada. The rare sulfide mineral
cooperite, (Pt,Pd,Ni)S, contains platinum along with
palladium and nickel. Cooperite occurs in the
Merensky Reef within the
Bushveld complex, Gauteng, South Africa.
Platinum, often accompanied by small amounts of other
platinum family metals, occurs in
alluvium Placer mining deposits in the
Witwatersrand of South Africa, Colombia, Ontario, the Ural Mountains, and in certain eastern United States states.
Platinum is produced commercially as a by-product of nickel ore processing in the Sudbury deposit. The huge quantities of nickel ore processed makes up for the fact that platinum is present as only 0.5 parts per million in the ore.
Platinum exists in relatively higher abundances on the Moon and in asteroids - much terrestrial platinum is mined where asteroids have hit.
Precautions
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, short-term exposure to platinum salts "may cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat" and long-term exposure "may cause both respiratory and skin allergies." The current OSHA standard is 0.002 milligram per cubic meter of air averaged over an 8-hour work shift.
Certain platinum complexes are used in chemotherapy and show good anti-tumor activity for some tumours. Cisplatin is particularly effective against testicular cancer; cure rate was improved from 10% to 85%. However, the side effects are severe. Cisplatin causes cumulative, irreversible kidney damage and deafness.
As platinum is a catalyst in the manufacture of the silicone rubber and gel components of several types of
implant (medicine) (breast implants, joint replacement prosthetics, artificial lumbar discs, vascular access ports), the possibility that platinum free radicals could enter the body and cause adverse effects has merited study. The FDA and other countries have reviewed the issue and found no evidence to suggest toxicity in vivo.
Rarity and color
Platinum's rarity as a metal has caused advertisers to associate it with exclusivity and wealth. "Platinum" credit cards have greater privileges than do "
gold" ones. "Platinum awards" are the second highest possible, ranking above gold,
silver and
bronze, but below "Diamond". For example, a musical album that has sold more than 1,000,000 copies, will be credited as "platinum,” whereas an album that sold more than 10,000,000 copies will be certifed as “diamond.” And some products, such as blenders and vehicles, with a silvery-white color are identified as "platinum". Platinum is considered a precious metal, although its use is not as common as the use of gold or silver. The frame of the Crown of Queen Elizabeth, manufactured for her Coronation as Consort of King George VI, is made of platinum. It was the first British crown to be made of that metal. symbol for platinum (shown right) was made by joining the symbols of silver and gold.
Production
In order to obtain pure platinum, the ore is crushed, made into a slurry, and then mixed with a detergent containing 'collector' molecules. Air is then blown through the mixture, enabling the grains of metal minerals to be separated from the rest of the mixture. This process is called "flotation" or "mineral beneficialness". The next step is smelting.
In 2006, world supply of platinum was of about 217,700 kg or 7 million troy ounces. Johnson Matthey 2006 supply and demand chartsAverage Platinum price in 2006 was of US$1200 per troy ounce (~$40/g), representing a significant increase from the 2005 average of US$900 per troy oz. Historical Platinum Charts and Data — London Fix
See also
References
- Los Alamos National Laboratory — Platinum
- Nuclides and Isotopes Fourteenth Edition: Chart of the Nuclides, General Electric Company, 1989.
- Jefferson Lab — The Element Platinum
External links
- Kitco Platinum prices
- The Platinum Group Metals Database
- A balanced historical account of the sequence of discoveries of platinum; illustrated.
- WebElements.com — Platinum
- Platinum Metals Review E-Journal
- Platinum Guild International
- Platinum - Redefinition of Noble Metals
- United States Geological Survey Platinum-Group Metals Statistics and Information
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Platinum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Platinum (pronounced /ˈplæt ɪ nəm/) is a chemical element with the atomic symbol Pt and an atomic number of 78. It is in group 10 of the Periodic Table of Elements.
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Platinum today: Home
Presents metals prices, applications and sources, supply and demand analysis, and a review of scientific research.