Tellurium price index

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Tellurium Price Index

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

The outlook for Tellurium prices is generated from different inputs including:

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

Further sources of information on the Tellurium price chart

What is Tellurium

Tellurium is a chemical element with the symbol Te and atomic number 52. It is a metalloid, which means it possesses properties of both metals and nonmetals. Tellurium is a relatively rare element in the Earth’s crust and is typically found in combination with other elements, often as a compound known as telluride.

Here are some key characteristics and uses of tellurium:

Physical Properties

Tellurium is a brittle, silver-white metalloid with a metallic luster. It is relatively soft and has a low melting point. It is a poor conductor of heat and electricity, which is characteristic of metalloids.

Occurrence

Tellurium is often found in nature associated with certain ores, particularly those containing gold, silver, and copper. The most common minerals containing tellurium are calaverite, sylvanite, and tellurite.

Chemical Properties

Tellurium is chemically similar to sulfur and selenium, which are located above and below it in the periodic table. It can form compounds with various metals, and tellurides of some metals are important minerals in the extraction of those metals.

Photovoltaic Application

Tellurium is used in the manufacturing of cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film solar cells. CdTe solar cells are a type of thin-film photovoltaic technology used to convert sunlight into electricity. Tellurium enhances the efficiency of these solar cells.

Thermoelectric Materials

Tellurium compounds, particularly bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3), are used in the production of thermoelectric materials. These materials can convert heat into electricity and are used in thermoelectric generators for applications like powering space probes and providing backup power.

Alloying Agent

Small amounts of tellurium can be added to certain alloys to improve their machinability and resistance to corrosion. For example, tellurium is used in the production of some types of copper and stainless steel alloys.

Semi-Conductor Industry

Tellurium is used in the semiconductor industry as a dopant to modify the electrical properties of silicon and other semiconductors.

Optical Applications

Tellurium dioxide (TeO2) is used in the production of glass and optical lenses due to its high refractive index. It is also used in acousto-optic devices and as a nonlinear optical material.

Casting and Molding

Tellurium can be added to cast iron to improve its strength and resistance to thermal fatigue, making it useful in certain casting and molding applications.

It’s worth noting that tellurium is relatively scarce, and its production is limited. It is considered a critical element for certain high-tech and renewable energy applications, and efforts are being made to find alternative materials and recycling methods to reduce its demand and ensure a stable supply

How is Tellurium produced

Tellurium is primarily obtained as a byproduct of the mining and processing of certain ores, particularly those containing copper, gold, and silver. The production of tellurium involves several steps, and it is often obtained as a component of telluride minerals. Here’s an overview of the process:

Mining

Tellurium is rarely found in pure form; instead, it is typically present in combination with other elements in minerals known as tellurides. Common telluride minerals include sylvanite (a gold and silver telluride), calaverite (a gold telluride), and tetradymite (a bismuth telluride). Miners extract these minerals from ore deposits that contain them.

Crushing and Grinding

Once the telluride-bearing ore is extracted, it is crushed and ground into a fine powder to increase the surface area for subsequent chemical processing.

Flotation or Gravity Separation

Depending on the specific ore and its mineral composition, flotation or gravity separation methods may be used to separate telluride minerals from other minerals in the ore. These processes help concentrate the tellurium-rich material.

Roasting

In some cases, the concentrated ore is roasted at high temperatures in the presence of air to convert tellurides into soluble tellurium compounds, such as tellurium dioxide (TeO2).

Leaching

The roasted ore or concentrate is then subjected to a chemical leaching process, often using a strong acid (usually sulfuric acid). This process dissolves the soluble tellurium compounds and leaves behind impurities.

Precipitation

After leaching, the tellurium is often precipitated out of the solution using chemical agents or by adjusting the pH of the solution. This results in the formation of tellurium compounds or tellurium metal.

Refining

The precipitated tellurium or tellurium compounds may undergo further refining processes to remove impurities and achieve the desired level of purity. This can include techniques such as zone refining or distillation.

Conversion to Metal

If tellurium metal is the desired end product, the refined tellurium compounds can be reduced to produce metallic tellurium, typically using carbon or hydrogen as a reducing agent.

Forming Alloys

In some cases, tellurium is alloyed with other metals, such as copper or stainless steel, to enhance their properties for specific applications. These alloys can be used in industries like metallurgy and electronics.

It’s important to note that tellurium is often produced as a byproduct of other mining operations, particularly copper mining, and the availability of tellurium can be subject to fluctuations in demand for these primary metals. As a result, efforts are being made to develop recycling methods and explore alternative materials to reduce reliance on tellurium in certain applications

What is Tellurium used for

Tellurium has several important and diverse applications across various industries due to its unique properties. Here are some of the primary uses of tellurium:

Solar Panels

Tellurium is a key component in the production of certain types of thin-film photovoltaic solar panels, specifically cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cells. CdTe solar cells are used to convert sunlight into electricity. Tellurium enhances the efficiency of these solar cells, making them more cost-effective.

Thermoelectric Materials

Bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) and lead telluride (PbTe) are commonly used thermoelectric materials. Thermoelectric materials can convert heat into electricity and vice versa. These materials are used in thermoelectric generators to power remote sensors, spacecraft, and other devices where a temperature gradient is available.

Metallurgy

Small amounts of tellurium are added to certain alloys, including copper and stainless steel, to improve their machinability, casting properties, and resistance to corrosion. Tellurium-based alloys can be found in a variety of applications, such as bearings, fittings, and wire coatings.

Semiconductors

Tellurium is used as a dopant in the semiconductor industry to modify the electrical properties of semiconductors like silicon. It can enhance the performance of electronic devices and transistors.

Optics

Tellurium dioxide (TeO2) is used in the production of optical lenses and glass due to its high refractive index. It is also used in acousto-optic devices, which are used in telecommunications and laser technology.

Casting and Molding

Tellurium can be added to cast iron to improve its strength and resistance to thermal fatigue. This makes it useful in certain casting and molding applications, especially in the automotive industry.

Pharmaceuticals

Trace amounts of tellurium compounds are used in some pharmaceuticals for specific medical applications, such as X-ray contrast agents.

Research and Development

Tellurium is used in scientific research and development, especially in the study of crystal growth and semiconductor properties.

Nuclear Industry

Tellurium isotopes have applications in the nuclear industry, particularly in nuclear medicine and radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic imaging.

Detectors

Tellurium-based materials are used in various types of detectors, such as gamma-ray detectors and X-ray detectors, due to their sensitivity to ionizing radiation.

Flame Retardants

In some formulations, tellurium compounds can serve as flame retardants in plastics and other materials.

Pigments

Tellurium can be used as a pigment in ceramics, enamels, and glass to create specific colors.

It’s important to note that while tellurium is a valuable element for certain high-tech and renewable energy applications, it is relatively rare, and its production is limited. As a result, efforts are being made to find alternative materials and recycling methods to reduce dependence on tellurium in these applications