A Short Review on Resources, Applications and Different Methods for Production of Cadmium

The cadmium element was discovered by Strodmeyer from Germany in1817. Its concentration in the earth crust is about 0.08 to 0.5 ppm. The cadmium atom and its compounds are very toxic and poisonous through inhalation and ingestion. In spite of its toxicity, its uses in different industries have been developed so the production and recovery of it seems extremely necessary. In this paper we discussed the primary and secondary cadmium resources and different methods for production and recovery of it. Also its application in different industries such as battery, electroplating, pigments, synthetic chemicals and ceramic was mentioned. Production of cadmium from hydrometallurgical zinc residue, dusts containing cadmium, bacterial methods, leaching, non- solvent extraction, and solvent extraction methods, was studied. Finally solvent extraction methods for selective extraction of cadmium, nickel, and zinc were proposed as the best method.