Cadmium pollution results from activities such as mining, smelting and production of fertilizers from phosphate rocks.

If that’s so, what are the available ways to ‘lock’ cadmium up profitably while preventing it from reverting back to the environment?

SOLAR ENERGY

Cadmium telluride (CdTe) nanoparticles manufactured from cadmium and tellurium exhibit unique properties applicable in solar cells.

Varyiation of their particle sizes allows absorption of light at different wavelengths while converting it into an electrical current.

Lining up CdTe nanoparticles of different sizes in a solar panel could allow for a possible conversion of more sunlight into energy compared to the traditional silicon which utilizes a narrow wavelength range.

But CdTe together with cadmium selenide (CdSe) also find applications in another key area in today’s technological age.

SEMICONDUCTORS

A semiconductor is a substance who’s electrical conductivity is midway between a metal and an insulator.

They are used extensively in electronics as choice materials for manufacture of transistors and other gadgets.

Cadmium Telluride (CdTe), Cadmium Sulfide (CdS) and Cadmium Selenide(CdSe) are three semiconductor materials touted as possible replacements for germamium and silicon due to their good optical activity which is important for semiconductors.

Better still, cadmium removed from polluted water and soils could be used to manufacture these semiconductor nanoparticles creating value while ‘locking’ up the pollutant in a useful but non-polluting product.

Due to their ability to absorb and radiate light energy at diffetent wavelengths, CdTe and CdSe nanoparticles are also useful in the manufacture of different types of LED lights.

LED lights are gaining prominence due to their low carbon footprint due to low energy usage.

But lastly, cadmium could also prove useful in storage of energy

NICKEL-CADMIUM BATTERIES

Though they’re facing rapid replacement with Nickel hydride batteries, Nickel cadmium batteries are efficient rechargeable batteries that could assist in ‘locking up’ poisonous heavy metals such as cadmium and nickel from the environment.

They are formed out of nickel and cadmium electrodes enabling shuttling of electrons during charging or battery use.

The fascinating thing about this battery is it’s recyclability can exceed 2000 cycles.

Even though it’s disposal is still an issue of concern it could still function as a heavy metal ‘sink’ storing poisonous metals after removing them from the environment.

IN CONCLUSION

Cadmium pollution is a problem that avails opportunity to the ones willing to move beyond their comfort zones.

Think not only about removing the pollutant but also putting it to profitable use and in the process, isolating it from the environment.