Zirconium is a derivative of the mineral zircon, the oldest mineral on Earth, dating back more than 4.4 billion years! The name ‘zirconium’ is also related to the Persian Arabic word ‘zargun’, meaning gold-like.
Zirconium, a chemical element with the symbol Zr and atomic number 40, is notable for its high resistance to corrosion and high melting point. Its journey from discovery to commercial extraction reflects the evolution of chemistry and materials science. The discovery of zirconium can be traced back to the late 18th century, specifically to 1789 when the Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius isolated zirconium oxide from the mineral zircon (ZrSiO4). Berzelius identified zircon as a distinct mineral and recognized its potential to yield a new element.
Zircon itself was known long before Berzelius’s discovery, having been used as a gemstone for centuries, particularly in Southeast Asia and parts of Europe. The mineral contains zirconium as a main component, where it occurs in igneous rocks and is often found alongside other minerals in sedimentary deposits. Berzelius’s work laid the foundation for future chemists, and it wasn’t until 1824 that zirconium was isolated in primarily metallic form by the Swedish chemist Hans Christian Ørsted. Ørsted used a more refined chemical process, utilizing potassium and also exploring the electrolysis method, which marked an important advancement in the production of pure zirconium.
Despite early discoveries, zirconium remained relatively scarce in commercial applications until the 20th century, when its unique properties began to be appreciated in industrial contexts. Today, zirconium is a key component in nuclear reactors, where it is used for cladding fuel rods due to its low neutron absorption and excellent corrosion resistance. Additionally, it finds uses in ceramics, dental materials, and various chemical processing applications.
The most common commercial means of extracting zirconium today is through the processing of zirconium-bearing minerals, particularly zircon (ZrSiO4) and more rarely, baddeleyite (ZrO2), a naturally occurring zirconium oxide. The extraction process typically begins with the mining of zircon-rich sands, which can be located in beach and alluvial deposits. Once extracted, the zircon sand is cleaned and concentrated, with the removal of impurities through various physical processes, such as gravity separation and magnetic separation.
Following concentration, the next step involves the conversion of zircon to a more easily processed form. This is accomplished by melting zircon in the presence of carbon to produce zirconium carbide (ZrC) through a high-temperature reduction process. Subsequently, zirconium is typically purified from this compound through various chemical methods. One prominent method used in the commercial industry is the Kroll process, where zirconium tetrachloride (ZrCl4) is produced by reacting zircon with chlorine and carbon at high temperatures. The ZrCl4 is then reduced using magnesium in a high-vacuum environment, yielding zirconium metal.
Overall, the extraction and production of zirconium have become increasingly refined and efficient, allowing for greater availability of this valuable metal for industrial applications. The evolution from Berzelius’s initial isolation of zirconium to today’s sophisticated extraction techniques exemplifies the advances in chemistry and materials science, allowing zirconium to fulfill its role in modern technology and industry. As industries continue to innovate and seek materials that exhibit both strength and resistance to harsh environments, zirconium’s significance is bound to grow even further.
This article is brought to you by Sybrina Durant, the author of the middle grade picture book, Magical Elements of the Periodic Table Presented Alphabetically By The Elemental Dragons. Learn More. In that book Zirconium is presented by the dragon, Zora.
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