The element symbol of cerium is Ce, with an atomic number of 58. It belongs to the lanthanide series and is also one of the rare earth elements. The content in the earth's crust is about 0.0046%, which is the most abundant among the rare earth elements.Rare Earth Cerium is a soft, ductile and plastic metal with a color ranging from iron gray to silver when pure. It is chemically active and easily loses its luster in the air. Its powder is easy to burn in the air and is usually stored in a vacuum or inert gas. It is soluble in acid, insoluble in alkali, and can react with boiling water to produce cerium hydroxide. Cerium exists in two valence states, Ce (III) and Ce (IV), and the tetravalent oxidation state is more stable.

rare earth element

Preparation method

Globally, light rare earth metals are mainly prepared by molten salt electrolysis through rare earth compounds. The mainstream production processes are divided into two processes: chloride and oxide molten salt electrolysis. Chloride molten salt electrolysis uses CeCl₂ as the raw material, and KCl is configured with electrolyte in proportion. It is melted and electrolyzed in a graphite crucible tank to obtain metallic cerium, but chlorine gas is produced during the production process. Oxide molten salt electrolysis uses CeO₂ as raw material, and CeF₃, LiF and BaF₂ are configured into electrolytes in proportion, and melted and electrolyzed in a graphite crucible tank. This process has high current efficiency and does not produce toxic waste gas. It is the mainstream method for producing light rare earth metals.

Products Main uses

Catalyst field:

It is an important component of automobile exhaust purification catalysts, which can improve catalyst performance and reduce the amount of precious metals, and can effectively reduce the emission of harmful gases such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons in automobile exhaust. It is also used in petroleum cracking catalysts, such as zeolites impregnated with cerium and lanthanum can be used as petroleum cracking catalysts in the refining process.

Glass industry:

It can absorb ultraviolet rays and is used to manufacture optical glass, phosphors for televisions and computer monitors, and high-end glass. It can increase the durability and color performance of glass and improve the ultraviolet resistance of glass. It can also be used as a glass decolorizer, colorant and clarifier, such as cerium oxide and neodymium oxide for glass decolorization. Cerium oxide replaces traditional arsenic oxide as a glass clarifier to remove bubbles and trace colored elements. In addition, cerium oxide polishing powder is widely used for polishing cameras and camera lenses.

Electronics industry:

Rare earth cerium metal compounds are widely used in optoelectronic technology, such as cerium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) in laser technology for laser lighting, medical laser and other fields, which can make lasers have higher efficiency and stronger laser output capabilities.

Other aspects:

Cerium sulfide can replace harmful metals such as lead and cadmium as a red colorant for plastics, and can also be used in industries such as coatings, inks and paper. Light rare earths based on cerium can improve the quality of crops, increase yields and improve the stress resistance of crops as plant growth regulators. As a feed additive, it can increase the egg production rate of poultry and the survival rate of fish and shrimp farming.

Rare earth cerium metal

Cerium can form a variety of compounds:

Cerium oxide (CeO₂):

It is one of the most common cerium compounds. It is used as a decolorant, clarifier and polishing powder in the glass industry; it plays a key role in automobile exhaust purification catalysts and can promote the oxidation of harmful gases such as carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons; it is also used in ceramics, electronics and other fields.

Cerium hydroxide (Ce (OH)₄) and Ce (OH)₃:

can be used as intermediates for the preparation of other cerium compounds, and also used in the preparation of certain catalysts and the separation and purification of rare earth elements.

Cerium chloride (CeCl₃):

is an important rare earth halide, used for the separation and purification of rare earth elements and catalysts in organic synthesis, and can also be used as a raw material for the preparation of other cerium compounds.

Cerium nitrate (Ce (NO₃)₃):

mainly used for the preparation of other cerium compounds, catalysts, chemical reagents, etc., and also used in the electronics industry and ceramic industry.

Cerium sulfate (Ce₂(SO₄)₃ and Ce (SO₄)₂):

cerium sulfate is used as a redox titrant in analytical chemistry, and is also used in the fields of medicine, electronics, etc.

Cerium carbonate (Ce₂(CO₃)₃):

is an important raw material for the preparation of cerium oxide and other cerium compounds, and is also used in industries such as glass and ceramics.

Cerium phosphate (CePO₄):

can be used to prepare fluorescent materials, optical materials, etc., and has certain applications in the electronics industry and materials science.

Cerium oxalate (Ce₂(C₂O₄)₃):

is an important intermediate product for the preparation of high-purity cerium oxide, and plays an important role in the purification of rare earth elements and the preparation of high-performance rare earth materials.

Rare earth cerium metal