Cerium price index

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Cerium price index

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

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

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

Further information on the Cerium price index

What is Cerium

Cerium is a chemical element with the symbol Ce and atomic number 58. It is a soft, silvery, ductile metal that is a member of the lanthanide series of the periodic table. Cerium is the most abundant of the rare earth elements and is found in many minerals, including monazite and bastnasite. It is used in various applications, including as a catalyst in catalytic converters for automobiles, in glass and ceramics for coloring, and in alloys for making lighter flints for lighters. Additionally, cerium compounds have applications in electronics, phosphors, and as a polishing agent in optics.

How is Cerium produced

Cerium is primarily produced through a complex process involving several steps:

Extraction from ores

Cerium is typically extracted from minerals such as bastnasite, monazite, and xenotime, which contain rare earth elements including cerium. These ores are mined from deposits around the world.

Concentration

The extracted ores are crushed and ground into a fine powder. Then, chemical processes such as froth flotation or gravity separation are used to concentrate the cerium and other rare earth elements into a more usable form.

Chemical processing

The concentrated ore undergoes further chemical processing to extract cerium from other elements present in the ore. Various techniques such as solvent extraction, ion exchange, and precipitation are employed to separate cerium from other rare earth elements.

Reduction

Once separated, cerium is typically obtained in the form of cerium oxide (CeO2) or cerium fluoride (CeF3). These compounds are then reduced using chemical or electrolytic methods to obtain metallic cerium.

Refining and purification

The obtained metallic cerium may undergo further refining and purification processes to remove impurities and obtain high-purity cerium suitable for various industrial applications.

Overall, the production of cerium involves a combination of mining, mineral processing, chemical extraction, and refining techniques to obtain the desired form of the element for commercial use.

What are the specific properties of Cerium

Cerium possesses several unique properties, both chemical and physical, that make it useful in various industrial applications. Here are some of its specific properties:

Chemical properties

• Cerium is a reactive metal and readily oxidizes in air, forming a thin layer of cerium oxide on its surface that protects it from further oxidation.
• It is a lanthanide element, belonging to the rare earth elements, and shares many properties with other elements in this group.
• Cerium exhibits variable oxidation states, with the most common being +3 and +4. The +3 oxidation state is more stable and predominant in its compounds.

Physical properties

• Cerium is a soft, silvery-white metal with a density similar to that of iron.
  It has a relatively low melting point of 798°C (1,468°F) and a boiling point of 3,455°C (6,271°F).
  Cerium is ductile and malleable, meaning it can be easily shaped or formed into various shapes and structures.
  It has a hexagonal close-packed crystal structure in its solid form.

Catalytic properties

• Cerium compounds, particularly cerium oxide (CeO2), exhibit excellent catalytic properties, making them valuable in catalytic converters for automobiles. Cerium helps to reduce harmful emissions by promoting oxidation reactions.
  Cerium oxide nanoparticles have also shown promise in various catalytic applications, including fuel cells, hydrogen production, and environmental remediation.

Optical properties

• Cerium compounds are used as polishing agents in glass and optical industries due to their ability to provide a high-quality, scratch-resistant finish.
  Cerium-based glass additives can modify the optical properties of glass, such as its refractive index and transmission characteristics.

Magnetic properties

• Cerium exhibits weak paramagnetic properties, meaning it is weakly attracted to magnetic fields but does not retain magnetism when the field is removed.

Overall, cerium’s unique combination of chemical, physical, catalytic, and optical properties makes it a versatile element with diverse industrial applications.

What is Cerium used for

Cerium has a range of uses across various industries due to its unique properties. Some common applications of cerium include:

Catalytic Converters

Cerium oxide (CeO2) is a crucial component in catalytic converters used in automobiles. It helps in reducing harmful emissions by converting pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into less harmful substances.

Glass and Ceramics

Cerium compounds are used in glass and ceramic manufacturing to impart various desirable properties such as UV resistance, coloration (as a yellow pigment in glass), and high refractive index. Cerium oxide is also used as a polishing agent for glass surfaces.

Alloys

Cerium is added to various alloys, such as aluminum alloys, to improve their mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and machinability. Cerium-containing alloys are used in aerospace components, automotive parts, and other structural applications.

Phosphors

Cerium-based phosphors are used in lighting applications, including fluorescent lamps, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and phosphor-based LEDs. These phosphors emit light when excited by electrons and are essential for producing white light in lighting devices.

Fuel Cells

Cerium oxide-based materials are being researched for use in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) as electrolytes and electrode materials due to their high ionic conductivity and chemical stability at high temperatures.

Polishing Compounds

Cerium oxide is commonly used as a polishing compound for precision optics, lenses, and semiconductor wafers due to its ability to produce a smooth, scratch-free surface finish.

Nuclear Applications

Cerium isotopes have applications in nuclear technology, including as burnable neutron absorbers in nuclear reactors and as targets for the production of medical isotopes.

Cerium Compounds

Various cerium compounds, such as cerium nitrate and cerium chloride, are used in chemical synthesis, catalysts, and as additives in certain industrial processes.

Overall, cerium’s versatile properties make it valuable across a wide range of industries, contributing to advancements in automotive technology, electronics, energy production, materials science, and more.

How big is the global Cerium 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