Cerium oxide price index

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Cerium oxide price index

This post is a summary of the Cerium oxide price developments. The price developments of Cerium oxide are expressed in US$ prices converted FX rates applicable at the time when the price was valid. Cerium oxide price index developments are calculated from multiple separate sources of data to ensure statistical accuracy.

The outlook for Cerium oxide prices, on the second tab, is generated from different inputs including:

• Very recent price developments of immediate cost drivers of Cerium oxide prices
• Recent price developments of underlying feedstocks which drive the price of Cerium oxide 
• Market futures for both cost drives and feedstocks of Cerium oxide prices
• Adjustment of current supply/demand imbalances in the Cerium oxide market
• Longer term trends in likely demand conditions

Further information on the Cerium oxide price index

What is Cerium oxide

Cerium oxide, also known as ceria, is a chemical compound with the formula CeO2. It is one of the most common and important compounds of cerium. Cerium oxide is a white to yellowish solid that has several notable properties:

Catalytic Activity

Cerium oxide is widely used as a catalyst in various industrial processes, particularly in automotive catalytic converters. It helps in reducing emissions by facilitating the conversion of harmful gases such as carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into less harmful substances.

Oxygen Storage Capacity

Cerium oxide exhibits high oxygen storage capacity, making it useful in oxygen sensors and in systems requiring controlled oxygen release and uptake, such as in fuel cells and exhaust systems.

Polishing Agent

Cerium oxide is highly abrasive and is commonly used as a polishing agent for glass, ceramics, and precision optical surfaces. It produces a smooth and scratch-free finish on these materials.

UV Absorption

Cerium oxide nanoparticles have been studied for their ability to absorb ultraviolet (UV) radiation, making them potentially useful in sunscreen formulations and other UV-blocking applications.

Solid Electrolyte

Cerium oxide is being researched for its potential applications as a solid electrolyte in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and other electrochemical devices due to its high oxygen ion conductivity at elevated temperatures.

Fuel Additive

Cerium oxide nanoparticles are sometimes used as fuel additives in diesel engines to improve combustion efficiency and reduce emissions of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides.

Overall, cerium oxide’s unique combination of properties makes it a versatile material with applications in catalysis, materials science, energy storage and conversion, environmental protection, and various other fields.

How is Cerium oxide produced

Cerium oxide, also known as ceria, is produced through various methods depending on the desired form and application. One common method involves the following steps:

Raw Material Preparation

Cerium oxide can be produced from naturally occurring cerium minerals such as cerium carbonate, cerium hydroxide, or cerium oxalate. These minerals are typically obtained through mining and processing of cerium-containing ores, such as bastnasite or monazite.

Calcination

The raw cerium material is heated in a furnace at high temperatures (usually around 600-1000°C) in the presence of air. This process, known as calcination, converts the cerium compound into cerium oxide (CeO2) by driving off any volatile components and promoting solid-state reactions.

Purification

The resulting cerium oxide may undergo further purification steps to remove impurities and improve its quality, depending on the specific application requirements. Purification methods may include chemical treatments, precipitation, or filtration.

Particle Size Control

Depending on the intended application, cerium oxide particles may need to be further processed to achieve specific particle size distributions. Techniques such as milling, grinding, or precipitation may be employed to control the particle size and morphology of the cerium oxide.

Surface Modification (Optional)

In some cases, cerium oxide particles may undergo surface modification to tailor their properties for specific applications. Surface treatments such as coating, doping, or functionalization may be applied to enhance catalytic activity, dispersion, or other desired characteristics.

Overall, the production of cerium oxide involves a combination of raw material preparation, thermal treatment, purification, and particle size control steps to obtain the desired quality and form of ceria for various industrial applications.

What are the specific properties of Cerium oxide

Cerium oxide, also known as ceria (CeO2), exhibits several unique properties that make it valuable in various industrial and scientific applications. Some of the specific properties of cerium oxide include:

Catalytic Activity

Cerium oxide is an efficient catalyst, particularly in redox reactions. It can undergo reversible oxidation and reduction processes, making it useful in catalytic converters for automotive exhaust systems, where it helps in converting harmful pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into less harmful substances.

Oxygen Storage Capacity

Cerium oxide has high oxygen storage capacity, which makes it useful in oxygen sensors and as an oxygen buffer in fuel cells and other systems requiring controlled oxygen release and uptake.

Thermal Stability

Cerium oxide exhibits excellent thermal stability, retaining its structural integrity at high temperatures. This property makes it suitable for use in high-temperature applications such as catalysis and solid oxide fuel cells.

UV Absorption

Cerium oxide nanoparticles have been found to absorb ultraviolet (UV) radiation, making them potentially useful in sunscreen formulations and other UV-blocking applications.

Defect Chemistry

Cerium oxide possesses a unique defect chemistry, including oxygen vacancies and Ce3+ and Ce4+ oxidation states, which contribute to its catalytic and oxygen storage properties.

Redox Behavior

Cerium oxide can easily switch between Ce3+ and Ce4+ oxidation states under different conditions, which is crucial for its catalytic activity and oxygen storage capacity.

Mechanical and Chemical Stability

Cerium oxide is mechanically and chemically stable, making it suitable for use as a polishing agent for glass, ceramics, and optical surfaces. It produces a smooth and scratch-free finish on these materials.

Electrical Conductivity

Cerium oxide exhibits mixed ionic and electronic conductivity, particularly at high temperatures, which is important for its applications as an electrolyte in solid oxide fuel cells and other electrochemical devices.

Overall, cerium oxide’s combination of catalytic, oxygen storage, thermal, optical, and mechanical properties makes it a versatile material with a wide range of industrial and scientific applications

How big is the global Cerium oxide market

The main rare earth elements ranked in decreasing order of market size are:

Neodymium (Nd): Neodymium is often ranked as one of the most valuable rare earth elements due to its crucial role in the production of high-strength permanent magnets used in a wide range of applications, including electric vehicle motors and wind turbines.

Cerium (Ce): Cerium is among the most abundant rare earth elements and is used in various industrial applications, such as catalysts, glass polishing, and metallurgy.

Lanthanum (La): Lanthanum is used in catalysts, ceramics, optics, and as a component in certain types of batteries and fuel cells.

Dysprosium (Dy): Dysprosium is used to improve the high-temperature performance of neodymium-iron-boron magnets. It is essential for the growth of the clean energy and electric vehicle markets.

Praseodymium (Pr): Praseodymium is used in combination with neodymium to produce high-strength magnets. It is vital in the manufacture of electric vehicle motors and wind turbines.

Europium (Eu): Europium is primarily used in phosphors for color television tubes, LED lighting, and other display technologies.

Terbium (Tb): Terbium is used in phosphors for color television tubes, fluorescent lamps, and as an activator for green phosphors.

Yttrium (Y): Yttrium is not a lanthanide, but it is often grouped with rare earth elements. It is used in a variety of applications, including ceramics, superconductors, and phosphors.

It’s important to note that market rankings may change over time as new technologies and applications emerge and as supply and demand conditions evolve. The demand for rare earth elements is influenced by various industries, including electronics, automotive, renewable energy, and more. For the most current market information and rankings, it’s advisable to consult industry reports and market analysis from reputable sources