The Earth Story

EUROPIUM - The very useful rare earth metal

"I'm useful too - don't I deserve any credit?" This member of the lanthanide series on the periodic table, Europium, is a practically unknown element to the general public. Its important uses, quite apparent to our very eyes on a daily basis, are also often brushed over.

Being the most reactive rare earth metal, Europium, a very malleable element, is known for rapidly oxidizing in the presence of oxygen. It was first put to use in the 1960's, 60 years after its discovery, when it was found to enhance color television quality. Prior to this discover a weak red phosphor based substance was used to color televisions, often masking other colors. Since then, Europium's uses have only expanded.

Europium does not occur naturally as a native material, and it is often isolated from monazite, a dark red phosphate mineral. However, it can be obtained in its pure form through electrolysis of EuCl3 and a salt (NaCl) in a graphite cell. Today, europium is the source of the blue light in specific colored LED's. In addition, europium is utilized in x-ray tomography, a medical imaging procedure used to diagnose and treat various bodily deficiencies. More commercial uses of this rare earth metal include laser production, fluorescent lamps, and screen displays for pilot.

Fun fact: Europium is used in certain anti-counterfeit phosphor-based technologies in, quite ironically, Europe to identify counterfeit Euro bank notes.

Rare earth metals are an important part of our lives that often go unnoticed. Maybe Europium should receive a bit more credit!

--Sam J.

Image Credit: Rare Earth Elements Handbook (reehandbook.com)

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