Tellurium

Tellurium is a non-metallic, metal-like element with the symbol Te and atomic number 52.Its position in the periodic table gives it some unique chemical and physical properties. It was discovered in 1782 by the German mineralogist Müller von Reichenstein while studying gold ores. Tellurium is found in the earth's crust in relatively low amounts, about one part per billion, and is rarer than elements such as gold and platinum, which is why tellurium, along with selenium and rhenium, are collectively referred to as the "rare elements", "dispersed elements" or "rare metals".

There are two isomers of tellurium, black, powdery, amorphous tellurium and silver-white, metallic, hexagonal crystalline tellurium. Although it is a non-metallic element, tellurium exhibits good heat and electrical conductivity, the most metallic of all the non-metallic elements. Of these two isomers of tellurium, crystalline tellurium has a metallic luster, is brittle, and is similar to antimony, while amorphous powdered tellurium has a dull gray color, a medium density, and a The melting and boiling points are low.