Rhodium is among the most expensive minerals on the face of the earth, and is about 5 times more expensive than gold. What is this mineral, and what is the reason for its popularity in recent years?
The name rhodium, or English in English, came from the Greek word rhodon, meaning rose. It was first discovered in 1803 by English chemist William Hyde Wilson.
This element is considered one of the rarest mineral elements in nature, and one of six mineral elements in the platinum group (platinum, palladium, rhodium, osmium, iridium, ruthenium), and it is classified among the noble elements in chemistry because it does not interact easily with oxygen, and is considered an excellent resistance For oxidation and corrosion.
This mineral has a lower density than platinum and has a higher melting point, and does not interact with water and air even at very high temperatures exceeding 500 degrees Celsius, which makes it an excellent material that is included in the alloys intended for aircraft and spacecraft.
Rhodium is mainly used in devices used to purify and clean car emissions, and is usually used with other elements such as platinum and palladium, as these elements reduce the amounts of nitrogen oxide released by car exhaust.
And the fact that this mineral is among the best minerals that are not affected by moisture and do not lose their luster, as it has been used in jewelry, mirrors, car lamps and optical reflectors.
There are also some other uses of this precious metal as it is used in the manufacture of some medical, electrical and electronic tools and equipment, as well as in the manufacture of some luxury watch parts.