Atomic Number: 34      Period Number:    4          Group Number:  16

Selenium & compounds

Selenium (Se) is a non-metal or metalloid, usually red in color but alternatively black or gray depending on allotrope. Usually found in metal sulfide ores, from which it is refined for commercial usage.

Applications of Selenium and its Compounds

Selenium and its compounds are versatile, seeing heavy usage across a wide cross-section of related and unrelated industries.

• Glass. The largest commercial application of selenium is the manufacture of glass, where the red color the element imparts is used to cancel out tints from other impurities or for red coloration. Makes up approximately half of all global usage of selenium.
• Manganese electrolysis. Selenium dioxide is used to decrease the energy required in manganese electrolysis.
• Solar cells. A key component in the alloys used to manufacture solar cells, alongside copper, indium, and gallium.
• Photoconductors. Some forms of selenium have found use as thin films in x-ray detectors.
• Batteries. A key component in lithium-selenium batteries, one of the most promising potential lithium batteries. Comparable to lithium-sulfur batteries, but with improved conductivity.
• Alloys. Used often in brass alloys to replace lead and reduce toxicity. Offers similar improvements to machinability.
• Medical. Elemental selenium is a minor nutrient in humans. Compounds of selenium are sometimes used in pharmaceuticals, such as selenium sulfide for dandruff and skin conditions.

Available from AHP Materials

AHP Materials offers only the highest purity elements and compounds in our standard catalog of products. Our selenium and selenium-based products currently include:

• Selenium metal,  99.999%, 99.9999% - Available as shot, powder, or ingots
• Tungsten diselenide,  99.999%, 99.9999%
• Selenium oxide,  99.999%
• Molybdenum diselenide,  99.999%, 99.9999%

To inquire about these selenium compounds, or for any questions about custom orders of these or other materials, contact AHP Materials today.

Selenium Resources:
Wikipedia - Selenium Basics
Jefferson Lab - Selenium information
Encyclopedia Britannica - History of Selenium
Periodic Table - Essentials of Selenium