Palladium

Palladium is a chemical element with the symbol Pd and atomic number 46. It is a rare, lustrous, silver-white metal belonging to the platinum group metals (PGMs). Known for its excellent catalytic properties, palladium is soft, ductile, and highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation in air. The element was discovered in 1803 and named after the asteroid Pallas. Palladium is one of the scarcest elements in the Earth's crust, with an estimated average abundance of about 15 μg/kg. Its primary use is in catalytic converters for automobiles, where it helps reduce harmful emissions. Palladium is also widely used in electronics, hydrogen purification, dentistry, jewelry, fuel cells, and as an investment metal. Due to its combination of stability, conductivity, and reactivity, palladium plays a vital role in modern industry and clean energy technologies.