Palladium (Pd)

Precious Metals | Atomic Number: 46

Basic Properties

Pd
46
106.42 g/mol
Element Category Precious Metals
Atomic Number 46
Atomic Weight 106.42 g/mol
Crystal Structure Face-centered cubic (FCC)

Crystal Structure Visualization

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Description

Palladium is a silvery-white metal of the platinum group, crucial for catalytic converters and hydrogen storage.
Density 12.02 g/cm³
Tensile Strength 200-400 MPa
Hardness 4.75 Mohs
Melting Point 1554.9°C
Boiling Point 2963°C
Thermal Conductivity 71.8 W/(m·K)
Electrical Conductivity 1.00 × 10^7 S/m
Corrosion Resistance Excellent (resistant to oxidation)

Applications

Catalytic converters, electronics, jewelry, hydrogen purification

Production Methods

Extracted as a byproduct of nickel and copper mining

History

Discovered in 1803 by William Hyde Wollaston