Zr
91.224Zirconium
Zirkonyum
Zirconium is a corrosion-resistant transition metal with atomic number 40. It is essential in nuclear reactor fuel cladding, zirconia ceramics, cubic zirconia, oxygen sensors and zircon minerals used in radiometric dating.
40
91.224 g/mol
[Kr] 4d² 5s²
2 | 8 | 18 | 10 | 2
1.33
6.52 g/cm³
1854.8 °C
4408.9 °C
Martin Heinrich Klaproth
Zirconium was identified by Martin Heinrich Klaproth in 1789 from zircon minerals. Metallic zirconium was later prepared by Jöns Jacob Berzelius, and modern nuclear uses depend on separating zirconium from chemically similar hafnium.
Zirconium-90
Natural abundance: About 51.5%. The most abundant stable isotope of zirconium.Zirconium-91
Natural abundance: About 11.2%. Stable isotope of zirconium.Zirconium-92
Natural abundance: About 17.1%. Stable isotope of zirconium.Zirconium-94
Natural abundance: About 17.4%. Stable isotope of zirconium.Zirconium-96
Natural abundance: About 2.8%. Very long-lived isotope studied in nuclear science.ZrO₂
Zirconium DioxideZirconia ceramic used in dental crowns, oxygen sensors, refractories and cubic zirconia materials.ZrSiO₄
ZirconMineral used as gemstone, refractory material and U-Pb dating host.ZrCl₄
Zirconium TetrachloridePrecursor for zirconium chemistry and metal production routes.ZrB₂
Zirconium DiborideUltra-high-temperature ceramic studied for extreme environments.- Zircaloy fuel cladding in nuclear reactors because zirconium absorbs few thermal neutrons
- Zirconium dioxide ceramics for dental crowns, oxygen sensors and high-temperature materials
- Cubic zirconia gemstones and optical materials
- Zircon minerals in U-Pb radiometric dating
- Refractory ceramics and corrosion-resistant chemical equipment
Zirconium has no known essential biological role. Zirconia ceramics are biocompatible and are used in dental and medical materials.
- Zirconium is used in nuclear reactors because it has a low neutron absorption tendency.
- Hafnium must be removed from nuclear-grade zirconium because hafnium absorbs neutrons strongly.
- Zircon crystals can preserve uranium-lead ages for billions of years.
- Zirconia ceramics can resist crack growth through transformation toughening.
- Zirconium has atomic number 40 and belongs to group 4.
- Its electron configuration is [Kr] 4d² 5s².
- The most common oxidation state is +4.
- Zirconium and hafnium are difficult to separate because their ionic sizes are very similar due to the lanthanide contraction.
What is the atomic number of zirconium?
The atomic number of zirconium is 40.
What is the electron configuration of zirconium?
Zirconium has the electron configuration [Kr] 4d² 5s².
What is zirconium used for?
Zirconium is used in nuclear reactor fuel cladding, zirconia ceramics, oxygen sensors, refractory materials, gemstones and corrosion-resistant equipment.
Why is zirconium used in nuclear reactors?
Zirconium alloys are used because they resist corrosion and absorb relatively few thermal neutrons.
What is cubic zirconia?
Cubic zirconia is a crystalline form of zirconium dioxide used as a diamond simulant and optical material.
Why is zirconium hard to separate from hafnium?
Zirconium and hafnium have very similar ionic sizes and chemistry, largely because of the lanthanide contraction.