Dysprosium
Element 66 · Lanthanide
Dysprosium is a silvery metal with an exceptionally high magnetic strength, and its key talent is heat resistance: small additions stop neodymium magnets from losing their magnetism in hot electric-vehicle motors and wind turbine generators.
It also absorbs neutrons readily, so it serves in reactor control rods, and its compounds are used in data storage, dosimeters, and specialized lamps. Its name comes from the Greek dysprositos, ‘hard to get at,’ recalling how difficult it was to separate from its neighbors.
Key facts
| Atomic number | 66 |
|---|---|
| Atomic weight | 162.50 |
| Category | Lanthanide |
| Group / Period | — / 6 |
| Block | f |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f10 |
| Common oxidation states | +3 |
| State at STP | Solid |
| Electronegativity | 1.22 |
| Density | 8.54 g/cm³ |
| Melting point | 1412 °C |
| Boiling point | 2567 °C |
Occurrence
Dysprosium is found in monazite, bastnasite, and xenotime. Heavy rare-earth deposits outside China are strategically important because of its role in clean-energy magnets.
Applications
High-temperature permanent magnets for EVs
Nuclear reactor control rods
Data storage and magneto-optical devices
Radiation dosimeters
Common compounds
- dysprosium oxide
- dysprosium chloride
- dysprosium-iron alloys
Its name comes from the Greek dysprositos, ‘hard to get at’ — it was extremely difficult to separate from its lanthanide neighbors.
Data source: IUPAC standard atomic weights 2021