Gold has been used by humans since ancient times, especially for jewelry and as coins. South Africa used to be the world’s top producer, although it has been supplanted by China, Russia and Australia. Gold is used in rheumatoid arthritis medications. It also is used extensively in nanotechnology applications. Gold nanoparticles are an interesting and versatile material for nanotechnology research, especially as a catalyst for other reactions. Catalysts are crucial to modern manufacturing, and gold is often used as a catalyst in industrial settings.
Key Takeaways:
- Since the periodic table will turn 150 years this year, now is an especially good time to spotlight some elements that are known only by chemists.
- When compared to other elements used for reactions, gold can be considered a late starter because it has always been considered chemically inert by many chemists.
- Gold is one of the twelve elements in the periodic table whose discoverer is unknown, the other elements are carbon, sulfur, copper, and lead.
“In my opinion, gold has many more uses that haven’t yet been discovered. There is much more to come in the world of gold research.”
Read more: http://theconversation.com/from-medicine-to-nanotechnology-how-gold-quietly-shapes-our-world-110515
