Tellurium - Te
| Atomic number | 52 |
|---|---|
| Group / period / block | 16 / 5 / p |
| Relative atomic mass | 127.60 |
| Density at 20 °C | 6.232 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | 449.51 °C |
| Boiling point | 988 °C |
| Electron configuration | [Kr] 4d10 5s2 5p4 |
Tellurium
Tellurium is a rare, brittle metalloid, usually obtained as a by-product of copper refining. It is used in metal alloys, semiconductor materials and some solar cells, including cadmium telluride photovoltaics. Tellurium has no known biological role; some tellurium compounds are toxic.
Tellurium-bearing water is most relevant to particular refining, electronics or materials-production streams. The behavior of dissolved tellurium depends on its chemical form and water chemistry, so elemental tellurium data alone do not describe its movement or treatment in water.
Tellurium in water treatment
Water-treatment context: Where tellurium is present, measure total and dissolved concentrations and characterize the relevant compounds and co-contaminants. Speciation, pH, redox conditions and suspended solids can affect separation. Treatment and residuals handling should be based on the actual process stream and supported by treatability testing.
Elemental substances and dissolved or gaseous species behave differently in water. Water chemistry and the exact chemical form must be considered when assessing treatment.
Back to the periodic table of elements
Sources and further reading
Tellurium page last reviewed: by Lenntech.