Tellurium

Tellurium was discovered in 1782 by the Hungarian chemist Franz-Joseph Müller von Reichenstein. Müller initially encountered the element in the form of ore from Transylvania, which he believed to contain gold. In his efforts to isolate the suspected noble metal, he inadvertently discovered tellurium. Later, in 1798, the element received its name from the Latin word 'tellus,' meaning Earth, when it was formally recognized by German chemist Martin Heinrich Klaproth, who further characterized and analyzed its properties. Over the years, tellurium has been studied for its various compounds and potential applications, particularly in semiconductor technology and alloys.

Tellurium is found in trace amounts in the Earth's crust, averaging around 0.001 parts per million. It often occurs in combination with other elements, primarily in sulfide ores such as tellurides, which are compounds of tellurium with metals like gold, silver, and copper. The most notable tellurium-containing minerals are calaverite (gold telluride) and sylvanite (silver gold telluride). Major sources of tellurium are typically found as by-products of refining copper, lead, and gold ores, making it a rarity among elements. Due to its low abundance, tellurium is often recycled from industrial waste to meet the increasing demand for this element.

Tellurium does not play a well-documented role in essential biological processes, and its toxicity in higher concentrations is recognized. However, some studies suggest that trace amounts of tellurium may have antioxidant properties and could influence metabolic pathways in microorganisms and possibly plants. The interest in tellurium's biological effects stems from its chemical similarity to selenium, a vital nutrient for many organisms. Research into tellurium's potential roles and interactions in biological systems continues, although it is primarily regarded as a non-essential element.

Tellurium is a brittle, silvery-white metalloid that exhibits a layered crystal structure. It has a melting point of about 449.5 °C and a boiling point of around 988 °C. Tellurium is a poor conductor of electricity but becomes a semiconductor when doped with other elements. Chemically, tellurium is reactive, particularly at elevated temperatures, forming various compounds including tellurides, oxides, and sulfides. Its reactivity is lower than that of sulfur but higher than that of selenium. In its elemental form, tellurium is insoluble in water but can dissolve in alkaline solutions or acids, displaying amphoteric behavior.

Tellurium has several important applications across various industries. One of its primary uses is in the production of semiconductor materials for electronic devices, such as solar panels and thermoelectric devices, where it enhances efficiency. Tellurium is also added to metals, particularly copper, to improve machinability and enhance the strength of certain alloys. In the field of glassmaking, tellurium compounds are used to produce special glasses with unique optical properties. Additionally, tellurium is utilized in the production of rubber and as a catalyst in various chemical reactions.

• Tellurium is exclusive to the elemental group of metalloids, which includes elements like silicon and germanium.
• While often associated with toxicity, tellurium is produced naturally by some microorganisms.
• Tellurium is one of the least abundant elements in the Earth's crust, ranking among the rarest major elements.
• The first known use of tellurium was in the making of alloys and semiconductors, reflecting its evolving importance in technology.