Selenium Dioxide

What is Selenium Dioxide?

Molecular Formula (Selenium Dioxide): SeO₂

Molecular Weight: 110.97 g/mol

Chemical Name: Selenium (IV) Oxide

CAS Number: 7446-08-4

It is also referred to as selenium oxide. It has many different particle sizes as a physical form.

It is found in sufficient levels in many sources. It does not have the property of conducting electricity. It is a chemical with an oxidizing structure. It also has antioxidant properties.

These types of metal oxide chemicals occur in the presence of an oxygen anion and a metal element. The metal has cationic properties.

Other Names are as Follows;

• Selenium (IV) Oxide
• Selenous Acid Anhydride
• Selenium Oxide
• SeO2
• Seleninyl Oxygen
• Selenonyl
• 7446-08-4

How is it Produced?

Selenium Dioxide production is carried out by reacting the selenium element (metal) with oxygen. This production reaction is as follows.

Se + O₂ 》SeO₂

In this reaction, if selenium metal is burned using more oxygen than necessary, selenium trioxide is formed. Selenium Trioxide is an unstable compound compared to selenium dioxide. In the presence of excess oxygen, both compounds are formed.

In another production reaction, it is produced from the oxidation of Selenium metal with nitric acid. This production reaction takes place as follows.

Se + 2HNO₃ 》SeO₂ + H₂O + NO₂ + NO

As can be seen from the production reaction, Nitrogen Dioxide, Nitrogen Monoxide, and Water are formed as by-products.

What are the Physical and Chemical Properties?

In terms of physical appearance, it has white tetragonal crystals. It has oxidizing properties. It has an acidic taste. It is a volatile, lustrous chemical.

Its density is 3.95 g/cm³.

The melting point is in the range of 340 °C to 350 °C.

The boiling point is approximately 685 °C.

In terms of solubility, it dissolves in water. It has a solubility of 38.4 g/cm³ in water at 14 °C. This means it has high solubility. It has low solubility in Acetic Acid. It has moderate solubility in Ethyl Alcohol and Acetone.

What are the Usage Areas of Selenium Dioxide?

• This selenium compound is used as a raw material in the production of many selenium compounds.
• Thanks to its ability to sense light levels and convert them into energy, it is used in the manufacture of photoelectric cells in the fields of automation and energy efficiency.
• Selenium dioxide is used for the production of corrosion-inhibiting coating materials in magnesium alloy processes.
• It is used to provide decorative color to galvanized iron and metals other than iron and alloys.
• It is a raw material used in the production of cortisone and nicotinic acid (Niacin), which are pharmaceutical raw materials.
• It is used as the most important coloring pigment in glass manufacturing. It is used to give a very beautiful red color to glass. In this application, it has the ability to give a dark red color by mixing with cobalt blue within the glass.
• It is an important component for the conversion of acetaldehyde, which is cyclically bound to paraldehyde, into glyoxal.
• It is used in fuel cells because they provide electrical conductivity in the production of lightweight materials in the aviation sector, and to produce clay crucibles in the production of advanced electronic materials.
• It is used as an oxidizing agent reagent in alkaloid production.

What are the Factors Affecting Prices?

The price of selenium dioxide is directly proportional to the prices of the raw materials used in its production. As the number of mines producing selenium increases, the production of selenium oxide will increase. Therefore, prices will experience short-term decreases. However, selenium element is a rare substance.

As the stocks of companies that are selenium dioxide distributors increase, prices will experience short-term decreases. As the stocks of companies selling selenium oxide decrease, prices increase.

This chemical substance has a high unit price. Its usage rate is also low. It is a kind of specific chemical compound.