Cobalt

Although humans have long used cobalt in a range of sectors, its vital position in contemporary technologies has recently brought it back into the spotlight. Cobalt is an intriguing metal with a wide range of significant applications, from innovative batteries to antiquated ceramics. In this post, we shall discuss what cobalt is, where it originates from, and why it is so crucial in today’s world.

What is cobalt?
Cobalt is a silver-grey, hard, and shiny metal member of the periodic table’s transition metals group. Its atomic number is 27, and it is well-known for its capacity to create compounds with rich blue hues, which were formerly employed to give glass and ceramics vivid colours. Cobalt is employed in a variety of alloys and high-strength materials in its pure metallic state.

Where Can You Find Cobalt?
Pure cobalt is rarely encountered in the natural world. Rather, it is often mined as a byproduct of extracting nickel and copper. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) supplies most of the world’s cobalt supply, making up around 70% of total production. Although the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the primary supplier, concentrations of cobalt can also be found in Russia, Australia, and Canada.

Important Uses for Rechargeable Cobalt Batteries
In order for lithium-ion batteries to power the majority of the gadgets we use on a daily basis, such as computers, smartphones, and electric cars (EVs), cobalt is a necessary component. Batteries operate better and last longer thanks to its…