In: Chemistry
Write an introduction about the metal(Se ), its uses in industry and corrosion behavior
Selenium :
Selenium is a chemical element with symbol Se and atomic number 34.
It is a nonmetal with properties that are intermediate between the elements above and below in the periodic table, sulfur and tellurium.
It rarely occurs in its elemental state or as pure ore compounds in the Earth's crust.
Uses :
(1)The biggest use of selenium is as an additive to glass. Some selenium compounds decolourise glass, while others give a deep red colour.
(2) Selenium can also be used to reduce the transmission of sunlight in architectural glass, giving it a bronze tint.
(3) Selenium is used to make pigments for ceramics, paint and plastics.
(4) Selenium has both a photovoltaic action (which converts light to electricity) and a photoconductive action (electrical resistance decreases with increased illumination). It is therefore useful in photocells, solar cells and photocopiers.
(5) It can also convert AC electricity to DC electricity, so is extensively used in rectifiers.
(6)Selenium is toxic to the scalp fungus that causes dandruff so it is used in some anti-dandruff shampoos.
(7) Selenium is also used as an additive to make stainless steel.