Cerium

Cerium, with the chemical symbol Ce and atomic number 58, was independently discovered in 1803 by Swedish chemist Jöns Jakob Berzelius and German chemist Wilhelm Hisinger. It was isolated from the mineral cerite, from which the element derives its name.

On Earth, cerium is one of the most abundant lanthanides, constituting about 0.0046% of the Earth's crust. It is found in various minerals, including monazite and bastnäsite. Cerium has a silver-white color and is a reactive metal.

Cerium finds applications in various industries. It is used in the automotive sector for catalytic converters and as an alloy component. In the glass industry, cerium oxide enhances the UV absorption of glasses. Additionally, cerium is employed in lighter flints and in electronics for displays and LEDs.