An introduction to cerium

Cerium demand and end-uses

Cerium has an essential role in automotive catalytic converters reducing harmful emissions owing to its catalytic properties, and its unique ability to store and release oxygen in the catalytic process, as well as improve the durability and thermal efficiency, stopping the agglomeration of PGMs prolonging the autocatalyst life.

Other applications of cerium include glass polishing and manufacturing (removing fine scratches and improving the surface finish), ceramics and enamels (providing colour, acting as a stabiliser and pacifier, improving the heat resistance and durability of ceramic products), an alloying agent in steel manufacturing (removing impurities and acting to enhance its strength), and used in the electrolytes of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) assisting with more efficient energy conversion due to its ionic conductivity and stability at high temperatures.

As a catalyst, cerium oxide assists in the catalytic cracking of hydrocarbons and the oxidation of carbon monoxide. Its catalytic properties also make it useful in water-gas shift reactions and in the reduction of emissions from industrial processes such as power generation of coal and gas-fired plants, chemical manufacturing, waste incineration, cement production, steel making and glass manufacturing where emissions need to be controlled or minimised.

On the battlefield, cerium enhances displays and optics in Driver's Vision Enhancer (DVE) within the thermal imaging system eliminating blind spots for drivers mounted on combat, armoured and standard security vehicles, as helmet-mounted DVE systems and glass cockpit avionic displays with helicopters and fighter jets.

Cerium supply

Cerium is one of the light rare earth elements and is discovered in a variety of minerals, including monazite and bastnäsite, which are primarily mined in China, the United States, Australia, Russia, India, Brazil, Vietnam and Canada. Other mineral sources of cerium span allanite, cerite, loparite, aeschynite, xenotime, synchysite, parisite, thorite, zircon and eudialyte. Cerium production is highly dependent on the concentration of cerium, the presence of other valuable elements, and the overall demand for rare earth elements where higher concentrations are more easily extractable.