Vanadium, a transition metal, is notable for its natural resistance to corrosion and its stability when exposed to alkalis, acids, and saltwater. This metal is naturally found in more than 60 minerals, including vanadinite, carnotite, roscoelite, and patronite.
Vanadium has an atomic number of 23, meaning it possesses 23 protons within its nucleus. It exists in nature as a blend of two isotopes: 50V, which constitutes 0.24%, and 51V, which makes up 99.76% of the element. As a transition metal, vanadium occupies a unique place on the periodic table, known for its diverse chemical properties.
The applications of vanadium are extensive and varied. One of its primary uses is in the production of steel alloys, which are essential in manufacturing space vehicles, nuclear reactors, and aircraft carriers. The exceptional strength of vanadium steel alloys makes them ideal for crafting tools, axles, piston rods, and structural girders used in construction. In the renewable energy sector, vanadium is crucial in Vanadium Flow Batteries (VFBs), providing a reliable and stable means for storing energy. Additionally, vanadium finds use in ceramics as a pigment and in vanadium pentoxide as a catalyst in the production of dyes and printing fabrics. Its applications extend to the creation of superconducting magnets from vanadium gallium tape and the manufacturing of sulphuric acid using vanadium oxide.
In the medical field, vanadium is used to treat various conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, and high cholesterol. It is also utilised in the cathodes of batteries for implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Ongoing research aims to incorporate vanadium into the cathodes of batteries for electric vehicles. Scientists are also exploring vanadium’s unique properties to develop smart windows that can block heat during the summer while retaining warmth in cooler weather.
Even a small addition of vanadium to steel, typically less than 0.1% (equivalent to 1 kg per tonne), can significantly enhance the strength and overall quality of the material.
Ferro-Alloy Resources Ltd (LON:FAR) is developing the giant Balasausqandiq vanadium deposit in Kyzylordinskaya oblast of southern Kazakhstan. The ore at this deposit is unlike that of nearly all other primary vanadium deposits and is capable of being treated by a much lower cost process.
