Safety information is for reference only and does not replace the supplier’s Safety Data Sheet (SDS), applicable regulations, or professional assessment.
Safety data
OEB
D
OEL
TWA: 0.1 mg/m3 [*Note: The REL also applies to other tellurium compounds (as Te) except Tellurium hexafluoride and Bismuth telluride.]
wgk
3
IDLA
25 mg Te/m3
tsca
TSCA listed
rtecs
WY2625000
ridadr
UN 3288 6.1/PG 3
hs_code
28045000
Toxicity
A member element of group IVa in the Periodic Table with both metallic and non-metallic properties. Tellurium compounds of biological interest include the elemental form, as well as compounds with valences of 12 (telluride), 14 (tellurite), and 16 (tellurate). Commercial applications of tellurium include its use as a coloring agent and as an alloy with other metals. Industrial hazards generally involve the volatile forms including tellurium dioxide and hydrogen telluride rather than the less toxic elemental form. Exposure to potassium tellurite may also occur; this compound is known to cause hemolysis of erythrocytes, probably via its reduction product, telluride. Other non-nervous system effects of exposure to tellurium compounds include weight loss, blue/ black discoloration of skin, and a characteristic garlic breath odor. Animal models have clearly implicated tellurium in induction of specific neuropathological findings. These include its action as a teratogen in the induction of communicating hydrocephalus (treated rats give rise to affected offspring), lipofuscinosis, and peripheral neuropathy.
HistoryThe element was discovered by Muller von Reichenstein in 1782 while investigating a bluish-white ore of gold. The element was isolated from this ore by Klaproth in 1798, who suggested the name “tellurium” after the Latin word tellus, meaning earth. Tellurium occurs in nature only in minute quantities. It is found in small amounts in many sulfide deposits. One of the more common tellurium minerals is calaverite, AuTe2 , in which the metal is combined with gold. Some other tellurium minerals are altaite, PbTe; sylvanite, (Ag,Au)Te2; rickardite, Cu4Te3; tetradymite, Bi2Te2S; petzite, Ag3AuTe2 and coloradoite, HgTe. The metal is found in the native state and also in the form of its dioxide, tellurite, TeO2. The abundance of tellurium in the earth’s crust is estimated to be about 1 µg/kg.
UsesSmall amounts of tellurium are added to stainless steel and copper to improve their machinability. It enhances the strength and hardness of lead and protects lead from the corrosive action of sulfuric acid. Tellurium also is a strong chilling agent in iron castings. It controls the chill and imparts a tough abrasion resistance to the surface. Tellurium is a curing agent for natural and synthetic rubber. It improves mechanical properties of the rubber imparting resistance to heat and abrasion. Tellurium is a coloring agent in glass, ceramics, and enamels. Traces of tellurium incorporated into platinum catalysts make the catalytic hydrogenation of nitric oxide favorable to forming hydroxylamine. A major application of tellurium is in semiconductor research. Tellurides of lead and bismuth are used in thermoelectric devices for power generation and refrigeration.
DescriptionTellurium is one of the rarest elements on earth similar to selenium, and was discovered in Transylvania in 1782 by Franz-Joseph Muller von Reichenstein. The name derived from the Latin word for earth. Tellurium is occasionally found naturally, more often as telluride of gold, calaverite.
OccurrenceTellurium is the 71st most abundant element on Earth. It makes up a small portion ofigneous rocks and is sometimes found as a free element, but is more often recovered fromseveral ores. Its major ores are sylvanite (AgAuTe4), also known as graphic tellurium, calaverite,sylvanite, and krennerite, all with the same general formula (AuTe2). Other minor ores arenagyagite, black tellurium, hessite, altaite, and coloradoite. In addition, it is recovered fromgold telluride (AuTe2). Significant quantities are also recovered from the anode “slime” of theelectrolytic refining process of copper production.
12 · A member element of group IVa in the Periodic Table with both metallic and non-metallic properties. Tellurium compounds of biological interest include the elemental form, as well as compounds with valences of 12 (telluride), 14 (tellurite), and 16 (tellurate). Commercial applications of tellurium include its use as a coloring agent and as an alloy with other metals. Industrial hazards generally involve the volatile forms including tellurium dioxide and hydrogen telluride rather than the less toxic elemental form. Exposure to potassium tellurite may also occur; this compound is known to cause hemolysis of erythrocytes, probably via its reduction product, telluride. Other non-nervous system effects of exposure to tellurium compounds include weight loss, blue/ black discoloration of skin, and a characteristic garlic breath odor. Animal models have clearly implicated tellurium in induction of specific neuropathological findings. These include its action as a teratogen in the induction of communicating hydrocephalus (treated rats give rise to affected offspring), lipofuscinosis, and peripheral neuropathy.
HistoryDiscovered by Muller von Reichenstein in 1782; named by Klaproth, who isolated it in 1798. Tellurium is occasionally found native, but is more often found as the telluride of gold (calaverite), and combined with other metals. It is recovered commercially from the anode muds produced during the electrolytic refining of blister copper. The U.S., Canada, Peru, and Japan are the largest producers of the element. Crystalline tellurium has a silvery-white appearance, and when pure exhibits a metallic luster. It is brittle and easily pulverized. Amorphous tellurium is formed by precipitating tellurium from a solution of telluric or tellurous acid. Whether this form is truly amorphous, or made of minute crystals, is open to question. Tellurium is a p-type semiconductor, and shows greater conductivity in certain directions, depending on alignment of the atoms. Its conductivity increases slightly with exposure to light. It can be doped with silver, copper, gold, tin, or other elements. In air, tellurium burns with a greenish-blue flame, forming the dioxide. Molten tellurium corrodes iron, copper, and stainless steel. Tellurium and its compounds are probably toxic and should be handled with care. Workmen exposed to as little as 0.01 mg/m3 of air, or less, develop “tellurium breath,” which has a garlic-like odor. Forty-two isotopes and isomers of tellurium are known, with atomic masses ranging from 106 to 138. Natural tellurium consists of eight isotopes, two of which are radioactive with very long half-lives. Tellurium improves the machinability of copper and stainless steel, and its addition to lead decreases the corrosive action of sulfuric acid on lead and improves its strength and hardness. Tellurium catalysts are used in the oxidation of organic compounds and are used in hydrogenation and halogenation reactions. Tellurium is also used in electronic and semiconductor devices. It is also used as a basic ingredient in blasting caps, and is added to cast iron for chill control. Tellurium is used in ceramics. Bismuth telluride has been used in thermoelectric devices. Tellurium costs about 50￠/g, with a purity of about 99.5%. The metal with a purity of 99.9999% costs about $5/g.
UsesTellurium’s major use is as an alloy with copper and stainless steel. It makes these metalseasier to machine and mill (cut on a lathe). It is also used as a vulcanizing agent in the productionof rubber, as a coloring agent for glass and ceramics, and for thermoelectrical devices.Along with lithium, it is used to make special batteries for spacecraft and infrared lamps.Tellurium can be used as a p-type semiconductor, but more efficient elements can do a betterjob. It is also used as a depilatory, which removes hair from skin.Although tellurium forms many compounds, most of them have little commercial value.
UsesThe metal is used in vulcanizing rubber, instorage batteries, and as a coloring agent inceramics. It is also used as an additive toiron, steel, and copper. Many tellurium saltsfind application on semiconductors.
UsesTellurium is a common constituent of ores that contain silver, gold, lead, antimony, and bismuth, and it is often present in small amounts in coal. Tellurium is widely used in metallurgy because it improves the properties of copper, tin, lead-based alloys, steel, and cast iron. It is used in rubber manufacturing to increase heat resistance and to retard the aging of rubber hoses and cable coatings. Small amounts are used in the electronics industry for lasers and photoreceptors. Tellurium is not an essential micronutrient; therefore, it is not found in nutritional supplements. As coloring agent in chinaware, porcelains, enamels, glass; reagent in producing black finish on silverware; in manufacture of special alloys of marked electrical resistance; in semiconductor research.
General DescriptionGrayish-white, lustrous, brittle, crystalline solid; dark-gray to brown, amorphous powder with metallic characteristics. Used as a coloring agent in chinaware, porcelains, enamels, glass; producing black finish on silverware; semiconductor devices and research; manufacturing special alloys of marked electrical resistance. Improves mechanical properties of lead; powerful carbide stabilizer in cast iron, Tellurium vapor in "daylight" lamps, vulcanization of rubber. Blasting caps. Semiconductor research.
DefinitionA nonmetallic element with many properties similar to selenium and sulfur. Atomic number 52; group VIA of the period table; aw 127.60; valences of 2, 4, 6; eight stable isotopes.
Definitiontellurium: Symbol Te. A silvery metalloidelement belonging to group16 (formerly VIB) of the periodictable; a.n. 52; r.a.m. 127.60; r.d. 6.24(crystalline); m.p. 449.5°C; b.p.989.8°C. It occurs mainly as telluridesin ores of gold, silver, copper,and nickel and it is obtained as a byproductin copper refining. There areeight natural isotopes and nine radioactiveisotopes. The element is usedin semiconductors and smallamounts are added to certain steels.Tellurium is also added in smallquantities to lead. Its chemistry issimilar to that of sulphur. It was discoveredby Franz Müller (1740–1825)in 1782.
