The key difference between titanium and platinum is that platinum doesn’t oxidize at any temperature, whereas titanium oxidizes and forms titanium dioxide.
Both titanium and platinum are d block elements. They are commonly known as transition metals. Like most of the transition metals, these also have the ability to form compounds with several oxidation states and can form complexes with various ligands. However, since both the metals are very expensive, which limit their usages.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Titanium
3. What is Platinum
4. Side by Side Comparison – Titanium vs Platinum in Tabular Form
5. Summary
What is Titanium?
Titanium is a chemical element with the atomic number 22 and the symbol Ti. It is a d block element and present in the 4th period of the periodic table. The electron configuration of this element is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d2. Moreover, it favours forming compounds with +4 oxidation state. But it can also have +3 oxidation states.
Atomic mass of this element is about 48 g mol-1. It is a transition metal with a shining silvery colour. Further, it is strong but has low density, also corrosion resistant and durable. It also has a higher melting point of 1668 oC. Titanium is paramagnetic and has low electrical and thermal conductivities. Availability of pure metal is rare since it is reactive with oxygen. There, it can form titanium oxide upon reacting with oxygen. Thus, this titanium dioxide layer acts as a protective layer on this metal and prevents it from corrosion. Titanium dioxide is very useful in paper, paint and plastic manufacturing industries. Though titanium metal is soluble in concentrated acids, it is non-reactive with dilute inorganic and organic acids.
Figure 01: Ti Coins
Moreover, because of its properties, titanium is useful in a variety of applications. Since it does not corrode easily by sea water, we can use it to make boat parts. Further, the strength and the lightweight allow titanium to use in aircraft, rockets, missiles, etc. Furthermore, this metal is non-toxic and biocompatible, making it suitable for biomaterial applications. Titanium is a precious metal. Hence people use it to make jewellery too.
What is Platinum?
Platinum or Pt is the transition metal with the atomic number 78. It is in the same periodic table group as nickel and palladium. Therefore, it has the electron configuration similar to nickel with outer orbitals having s2 d8 arrangement. Also, this metal most commonly forms +2 and +4 oxidation states. However, it can form +1 and +3 oxidation states too.
Moreover, platinum is silvery white and has a higher density. Atomic mass of it is about 195 g mol-1. It doesn’t oxidize or reacts with HCl or nitric acid. Furthermore, it is highly resistant to corrosion. Also, it can withstand very high temperature without melting. (Its melting point is 1768.3 °C).
Figure 02: Pt Jewellery
Besides, platinum is paramagnetic. Also, it is a very rare metal, which we use in jewellery making. Platinum jewellery is very expensive. Apart from that, we can use this metal as the electrode in electrochemical sensors, and cells. It is a good catalyst to use in chemical reactions. South Africa is the number one producer of the platinum metal.
What is the Difference Between Titanium and Platinum?
Titanium is a chemical element with the atomic number 22, and the symbol Ti and Platinum or Pt is the transition metal with the atomic number 78. The key difference between titanium and platinum is that platinum doesn’t oxidize at any temperature, whereas titanium oxidizes and forms titanium dioxide.
Moreover, platinum is denser than titanium. However, titanium is harder than platinum. Based on properties, this is an important difference between titanium and platinum. As another difference between titanium and platinum, platinum is very rare, making it much more expensive than Titanium.
Summary – Titanium vs Platinum
Titanium and platinum are d block elements, and we can categorize them as metals. The key difference between titanium and platinum is that the platinum doesn’t oxidize at any temperature, whereas the titanium oxidizes and forms titanium dioxide.
Reference:
1. Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Titanium.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 22 Nov. 2018. Available here
2. “Platinum.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 19 Nov. 2018. Available here
Image Courtesy:
1.”1838716″ (CC0) via Max Pixel
2.”620904″ (CC0) via pxhere
Wow, it’s interesting to know that titanium is impervious to seawater. I think that would be a great material to use for machining projects. I want to make a metal sculpture for a fountain in my garden someday.