Yttrium (Y)

Description

Basic Information

• Element Name: Yttrium

• Symbol: Y

• Atomic Number: 39

• Atomic Weight: 88.91

• Element Category: Transition Metal (often classified with Rare Earth Elements due to chemical similarity)

• Standard State: Solid

• Appearance: Silvery-metallic, lustrous, soft and ductile

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Chemical and Physical Properties

• Density: 4.47 g/cm³

• Melting Point: 1,522 °C (2,772 °F)

• Boiling Point: 3,345 °C (6,053 °F)

• Electronegativity (Pauling scale): 1.22

• Common Oxidation State: +3

• Reactivity: Slowly oxidizes in air; highly reactive at elevated temperatures

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Storage and Handling

Yttrium is relatively stable in dry air but oxidizes in moist air. It should be stored in sealed containers under dry argon or vacuum to prevent degradation. Its oxide, Y₂O₃, is highly stable and widely used in industry.

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Occurrence and Extraction

Yttrium is not found as a free element but occurs in most rare earth minerals such as xenotime, monazite, and bastnäsite. It is extracted using solvent extraction, ion-exchange separation, and electrolytic refining.

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Isotopes

• Yttrium has one stable isotope: Y-89

• Several radioactive isotopes (e.g., Y-90) are used in nuclear medicine and cancer therapy

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Key Applications

1. Phosphors in Electronics and Lighting

• Yttrium oxide doped with europium (Y₂O₃:Eu) is a critical red phosphor in:

  • CRT televisions and monitors

  • LED lighting systems

  • Fluorescent lamps

  • Plasma display panels

• Offers high brightness, stability, and longevity

2. Superconductors and Advanced Ceramics

• Yttrium is used in YBCO (Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide) high-temperature superconductors

  • Applied in power cables, magnetic levitation systems, and MRI technology

3. Laser and Optical Materials

• Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (YAG) and Yttrium Lithium Fluoride (YLF) crystals doped with neodymium or ytterbium are widely used in:

  • Solid-state lasers (e.g., Nd:YAG)

  • Medical lasers, industrial cutting/welding, and cosmetic surgery equipment

4. Metallurgy and Alloys

• Yttrium is added to magnesium and aluminum alloys to increase:

  • Strength and creep resistance at high temperatures

  • Oxidation and corrosion resistance (used in jet engines and aerospace components)

5. Medical and Radiopharmaceutical Use

• Yttrium-90, a radioactive isotope, is used in targeted cancer therapies, especially for:

  • Liver cancer (radioembolization)

  • Lymphoma treatment (radioimmunotherapy)

6. Ceramic and Glass Applications

• Y₂O₃ is used in:

  • High-performance ceramics

  • Transparent armor and IR-resistant coatings

  • Microwave filters and electronic substrates

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Strategic Importance

• Yttrium is classified as a critical material due to its use in energy-efficient lighting, advanced electronics, and defense technologies

• Supply is heavily concentrated in China, with efforts underway globally to expand recycling and alternative sourcing

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Interesting Facts

• Discovered in 1794 by Finnish chemist Johan Gadolin, from the mineral ytterbite (later renamed gadolinite)

• Named after the Swedish village Ytterby, also the namesake for terbium, erbium, and ytterbium

• While not a lanthanide by atomic number, yttrium behaves chemically like rare earth elements

• Plays a key role in solid-state physics, modern electronics, and quantum material research