An Indium produced in industry comes as the by-product
of smelting zinc and lead sulphide ores, some of which can contain 1% indium.
Specimens of uncombed indium metal have been found in a region of Russia and an indium mineral,
indie, has been found in Siberia, but it is rare. The present cost of indium is
about $1 to $5/g, depending on quantity and
purity. Indium is a rare, soft and malleable post-transition metal,
found primarily in zinc ore.
It is
mined almost exclusively in Canada, China, the US and Russia. Indium is used in
various electronic applications such as LCDs and touchscreens, solar cells,
LEDs and various batteries. It is also useful in making alloys, medical
imaging, and in the control rods of nuclear reactors. Its role in electronic
screens drives most of the production demand, which by now has resulted in
global reserves being almost completely exhausted.
Recycling
is one option being pursued to solve this problem, but it will only suffice in
the short term. Fortunately, new alternative materials are being introduced,
derived from carbon nanotube compounds that can take on the role previously
filled by indium. Indium
does not react with carbon, silicon, or
boron, and the corresponding carbide, silicide, and boride are not known.
No reaction takes
place between hydrogen and indium,
but indium (III)
and indium (I)
hydrates can be
formed. It dissolvers in acids and is stable in water and air.
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