Indium is a chemical element in the periodic table of elements, represented by the symbol In and its atomic number 49, and it is a rare metallic element with distinctive physical and chemical properties, and it is used in many technological applications.
Indium’s physical properties include a melting point of about 156 °C, a boiling point of about 2072 °C, and a density of about 7.31 g/cm3. It is a soft, bendable metal with a silvery white colour.
Indium’s chemical properties are characterized by the fact that it interacts with acids and bases to produce its own salt, and it also interacts with oxygen at high temperatures to produce Indium oxide, as it interacts with many other elements such as sulfur, metals, and halogens.
Indium is characterized by its ability to emit infrared radiation, and is used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, lithium batteries, television tubes, lighting systems, and many other technical applications.
What is the element indium?
Indium is a chemical element in the periodic table of the elements, with the symbol In and atomic number 49. It is commonly found in nature in common form with zinc and lead, and is mainly extracted from zinc ores. Indium has excellent electrical, magnetic, and thermal properties, and is mainly used in liquid screens, solar panels, power wires, and semiconductors. It is also used in some medical research and in some types of alloys.
What are the methods of preparation of Indium?
Indium can be obtained in several ways, including:
- Sweetening of the leading zinc ore and extracting indium from it as a small percentage.
- Indium extraction from secondary copper deposits.
- Desalination of Lead and Zinc in Secondary Copper, and Removal of Indium by Desalting.
- Indium is prepared by centrifugation, in which a mixture of indium, copper and cadmium is centrifuged.
- Preparation of Indium using electrosalination, in which the metal is sweetened by electricity, sulfide, and chloride.
- Preparation of Indium Using Electrofiltration Desalination Indium ore is desalted in an acidic ammonium chloride solution using electrofiltration.
What are the uses of Uses of Indium?
Indium is used in many technical applications, as it has some unique properties such as a low melting point, dispersibility in air, and the ability to handle electricity and heat well.
Indium is used in liquid displays, computers, and smartphones, due to its ability to generate and detect infrared radiation. It is also used in the welding, smelting, electronic and magnetic industries, as well as in the manufacture of transparent glass that withstands various environmental factors.
In addition, indium is used in nuclear medicine, where it is used in the production of radioactive drugs used in medical imaging and the treatment of cancerous tumors. It is also used in the manufacture of special alloys and metals, as well as in the manufacture of some types of special coatings and dyes.
