Name:  Zirconium

Atomic Symbol and Mass Number: Zr [40]

Electron Configuration: [Kr] 4d    5s

Atomic Radii: 139 pm

Electron Affinity: 41.1 kJ mol-1

Oxidation states: +4

Electronegativity value: 1.33

Elemental Group: Transition Metal

Uses and properties:

• Strong, malleable, ductile, lustrous, grayish-white metal

• White oxide

• Generally exceptionally resistant to corrosion

• Rapidly attacked by hydrofluoric acid even at low concentrations

• Finely divided Zirconium burns with the highest known temperature for a metal flame

• Powdered zirconium can spontaneously ignite in air

• Zirconium tungstate shrinks when heated

• Nuclear energy applications like cladding of fuel rods

• Surgical instruments

• Hardening agent in steel alloys

• Used in chemical industry as alloys in pipes, fittings, and heat exchangers

• Making superconductive magnets

• Low-cost substitute for diamond (Zirconia)

• Catalysts for amination, hydrogenation, isomerization, and oxidation reactions

• Absorbs carbon dioxide (Lithium zirconate)

 

Lewis diagram: