The Chemistry of Erbium Oxide: Properties and Uses

Erbium oxide is a pinkish powder that doesn't exist naturally. Minerals like monazite and bastnasite, which contain small amounts of Erbium, are used to make it instead. First, Erbium is separated from other rare earth metals and then combined with oxygen to form erbium oxide.

It's not just pink for the show. Erbium atoms give off this color because of how they interact with light. Erbium oxide is important because it is also utilized in ceramics and glass because of its pink appearance.

Why Is Erbium Oxide Important?

Erbium oxide is also important because it is rare and expensive. It's not just another chemical; it's a substance that improves our daily equipment.

Without it, fiber optic cables might not work as efficiently, and lasers would not be as precise. The pink color of polyester helps to beautify the glass and ceramic, and high stability guarantees the length of one's life for this polymer.

Erbium Oxide Properties

·        It is a rare-earth element. Therefore, it doesn't have properties other than rare earth elements. However, its qualities make it different from other rare earth elements.

·        Erbium has a hexagonal and closely packed lattice system, is relatively soft, and has about 29 radioisotopes. Its standard atomic weight is 167.259.

·        The atomic number and periodicity of Erbium are the main reasons why most of its properties are also due. It is period 6, f block on the periodic table. At room temperature, it is solid. Its melting point is 1802 K, and its boiling point is 3141 K.

·        Erbium's density varies in various states. Its solid density is 9.07 g / cm3, and that of the liquid is 8.86 g / cm3.

·        Several chemical reactions occur in Erbium. It tarnishes slowly in a humid atmosphere and is highly reactive with all halogens to form compounds of various colors, from pink to violet. In dilute sulfuric acid, it is soluble and burns to Erbium (iii) oxide. It forms a compound of erbium hydroxide in reaction with cold or hot water. The latter with which it reacts is fast, whereas with the latter, it responds slowly.

Uses of Erbium Oxide

Erbium is usually used as an alloy or compound like other rare-earth metals. It is seldom used alone. Let's look at some of the uses of Erbium in the world today and which of its properties are responsible for that use.

1.   Dentistry

There are dental procedures where laser enamel ablation uses laser energy produced by Erbium. This is when the enamel of a tooth is removed with laser energy.

2.   Surgery

Erbium is important for laser surgeries because it produces laser energy, which cuts the tissue more like a laser cutting a rope. The laser replaces a scalpel. Laser surgeries can remove scars and moles and treat eye defects.

3.   Cancer

Tumor ablation can be done using Erbium. A laser energy procedure done in cancer is called tumor ablation.

4.   Thin-Film Coating

Erbium sputtering targets and erbium evaporation materials are used in semiconductor deposition, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and physical vapor deposition (PVD).

5.   Catalyst

The catalyst used is Erbium chloride. It is a catalyst in reactions that yield alkanols and phenols.

6.   Water Treatment

Erbium Bromide is a water-soluble compound. It can be utilized for treating water.

7.   Optical Communication

Erbium chemicals are used in optical communication, which uses light to send information over long distances. Erbium compounds are often used in optical communication with routers, cables, and lasers.

8.   Alloy

Different metals are combined with Erbium to produce improved quality. For example, it can be mixed with vanadium to make vanadium more malleable. It is also added to nickel to increase that metal's heat capacity.

9.   Colorant

Erbium salts are pink. For scientific reasons, these salts can change the color of glass, ceramics, and other products. Coloring the materials about to be colored gives them an additional advantage because it makes them look better and makes them suitable for making jewelry, windows, dinner sets, etc.

10.       Control Rods

Control rods are manufactured from the compounds of Erbium are used in nuclear reactors.

Precaution

When dealing with Erbium, you want to note the following:

·        Pure Erbium is toxic when it is taken orally.

·        However, it is a very flammable element, even small amounts of dust can start a fire.

Final Thoughts

Erbium is the rare earth metal found in the greatest abundance. Numerous industries worldwide frequently use Erbium to produce essential items and operations.