V
50.942Vanadium
Vanadyum
Vanadium is a transition metal with atomic number 23. It strengthens steel, forms colorful oxidation states, catalyzes sulfuric acid production and is central to vanadium redox flow batteries for grid energy storage.
23
50.942 g/mol
[Ar] 3d³ 4s²
2 | 8 | 11 | 2
1.63
6.11 g/cm³
1909.8 °C
3406.8 °C
Andrés Manuel del Río
Vanadium was first discovered by Andrés Manuel del Río in 1801, but the discovery was initially dismissed. Nils Gabriel Sefström rediscovered it in 1830 and named it after Vanadis, a Norse goddess associated with beauty, because vanadium compounds can show vivid colors.
Vanadium-51
Natural abundance: About 99.75%. The dominant naturally occurring isotope of vanadium.Vanadium-50
Natural abundance: About 0.25%. Half-life: About 1.4 x 10¹⁷ years. Extremely long-lived radioactive isotope.V₂O₅
Vanadium PentoxideCatalyst for sulfuric acid production and precursor for vanadium battery materials.VO₂
Vanadium DioxideThermochromic material studied for smart windows.VOSO₄
Vanadyl SulfateResearch chemical and source of vanadyl ions.VCl₃
Vanadium(III) ChlorideReducing agent and catalyst precursor.NH₄VO₃
Ammonium MetavanadateLaboratory precursor for vanadium oxides and catalysts.- Ferrovanadium for strong, tough steels and tool steels
- Vanadium pentoxide catalyst in the contact process for sulfuric acid production
- Vanadium redox flow batteries for large-scale energy storage
- Titanium-aluminum-vanadium alloys such as Ti-6Al-4V
- Vanadium dioxide smart coatings and thermochromic materials
Vanadium has no confirmed essential role in humans. Some marine organisms concentrate vanadium, and vanadium compounds are studied for biological and metabolic effects.
- Vanadium ions change color with oxidation state: +2 violet, +3 green, +4 blue and +5 yellow.
- The contact process uses V₂O₅ to catalyze oxidation of SO₂ to SO₃ before sulfuric acid is produced.
- Vanadium redox flow batteries store energy in liquid electrolytes rather than solid electrodes.
- Small amounts of vanadium can make steel much stronger and more fatigue-resistant.
- Vanadium has atomic number 23 and belongs to group 5.
- Its electron configuration is [Ar] 3d³ 4s².
- Common oxidation states include +2, +3, +4 and +5.
- The wide oxidation-state range explains vanadium’s colorful ions, catalytic behavior and redox battery chemistry.
What is the atomic number of vanadium?
The atomic number of vanadium is 23.
What is the electron configuration of vanadium?
Vanadium has the electron configuration [Ar] 3d³ 4s².
What is vanadium used for?
Vanadium is used in strong steels, titanium alloys, sulfuric acid catalysts, redox flow batteries and smart coating research.
What is a vanadium redox battery?
A vanadium redox battery is a flow battery that stores energy using different oxidation states of vanadium ions in liquid electrolytes.
Why are vanadium compounds colorful?
Vanadium has several accessible oxidation states, and each state can absorb light differently, producing different solution colors.
How is vanadium used in sulfuric acid production?
Vanadium pentoxide catalyzes the oxidation of sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide in the contact process.