Zinc
Zinc is a bluish-white metal known for its corrosion resistance, strength, and malleability. It has a melting point of 419.5°C and is relatively low in density, making it lightweight yet durable. Zinc is primarily used for galvanizing steel to protect it from rust, in alloys like brass, and as a key component in batteries, particularly alkaline batteries. Additionally, zinc plays a crucial role in biological processes and is essential for human health, making it a vital ingredient in dietary supplements and various pharmaceutical applications. Its antimicrobial properties also find uses in coatings and ointments.
Major Uses of Zinc
- Galvanization: Zinc is predominantly used to coat steel and iron to prevent corrosion, a process known as galvanization. This extends the lifespan of structures like bridges, roofs, and pipelines.
- Alloys: Zinc is a key component in various alloys, most notably brass, which combines copper and zinc. These alloys are used in applications ranging from plumbing fixtures to musical instruments due to their strength and workability.
- Batteries: Zinc is essential in the production of batteries, particularly alkaline batteries and zinc-carbon batteries. Its ability to store and release energy efficiently makes it a popular choice in various portable electronic devices.
Substantial growth emerging from batteries and renewable energy applications
Zinc plays a crucial role in the development of emerging economies, particularly as these nations seek to modernize their energy infrastructure and embrace sustainable technologies. With the rising demand for renewable energy sources, zinc is increasingly recognized for its applications in energy storage solutions, such as zinc-based batteries. These batteries offer advantages in cost-effectiveness, safety, and efficiency, making them ideal for integrating renewable technologies like solar and wind power into the grid.
Moreover, zinc’s corrosion-resistant properties are vital for protecting the infrastructure needed to support these technologies, including solar panel frames and wind turbine components. As emerging economies invest in electrification and green energy initiatives, the demand for zinc is expected to grow, supporting both economic development and environmental sustainability. This focus on renewable technologies and battery solutions positions zinc as a key mineral in the transition to a cleaner, more resilient energy landscape in these regions.
Zinc (Zn)
Zinc is a chemical element with the symbol Zn and atomic number 30. It is a slightly brittle metal at room temperature and has a shiny-greyish appearance when oxidation is removed. It is the first element in group 12 (IIB) of the periodic table. In some respects, zinc is chemically similar to magnesium: both elements exhibit only one normal oxidation state (+2), and the Zn2+ and Mg2+ ions are of similar size. Zinc is the 24th most abundant element in Earth’s crust and has five stable isotopes. The most common zinc ore is sphalerite (zinc blende), a zinc sulfide mineral. The largest workable lodes are in Australia, Asia, and the United States. Zinc is refined by froth flotation of the ore, roasting, and final extraction using electricity (electrowinning).
Zinc is an essential trace element for humans, animals, plants and for microorganisms and is necessary for prenatal and postnatal development. It is the second most abundant trace metal in humans after iron and it is the only metal which appears in all enzyme classes. Zinc is also an essential nutrient element for coral growth as it is an important cofactor for many enzymes.
Brass, an alloy of copper and zinc in various proportions, was used as early as the third millennium BC. Corrosion-resistant zinc plating of iron (hot-dip galvanizing) is the major application for zinc. Other applications are in electrical batteries, small non-structural castings, and alloys such as brass.