Niobium

Niobium (Nb)

Niobium is the 41st element in the periodic table and has a symbol of Nb and atomic number of 41. It has an atomic weight of 92.90637 and a mass number of 93. Niobium has forty-one protons and fifty-two neutrons in its nucleus, and forty-one electrons in five shells. It is located in group five, period five and block d of the periodic table. Soft, ductile grey-blue metallic transition element. Used in special steels and in welded joints to increase strength. Combines with halogens and oxidizes in air at 200 degrees celsius. Discovered by Charles Hatchett in 1801 and isolated by Blomstrand in 1864. Called Columbium originally.
Atomic Number41
Atomic Weight92.90637
Mass Number93
Group5
Period5
Blockd
Protons41 p+
Neutrons52 n0
Electrons41 e-
Animated Bohr Model of Nb (Niobium)

Physical Properties

Atomic Radius
Molar Volume
Covalent Radius
Metallic Radius
Ionic Radius
Crystal Radius
Van der Waals Radius
Density
Atomic Radii of the Elements: Niobium0102030405060708090100110120130140150160170180190200210220pmAtomic RadiusCovalent RadiusMetallic RadiusVan der Waals Radius

Chemical Properties

Energy
Proton Affinity
Electron Affinity
Ionization Energy
Ionization Energies of Nb (Niobium)
Heat of Vaporization
Heat of Fusion
Heat of Formation
Electrons
Electron Shells2, 8, 18, 12, 1
Bohr Model: Nb (Niobium)
Valence Electrons1
Lewis Structure: Nb (Niobium)
Electron Configuration[Kr] 4d4 5s1
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 4d4 5s1
Enhanced Bohr Model of Nb (Niobium)
Orbital Diagram of Nb (Niobium)
Oxidation States-3, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Electronegativity
1.6
Electrophilicity Index
States of Matter
PhaseSolid
Gas Phase
Boiling Point
Melting Point
Critical Pressure
Critical Temperature
Triple Point
Visual

Niobium is a Gray. Nb has a CPK of #ff1493, Jmol of #73c2c9, and MOLCAS GV of #73c2c9. The Appearance of Element 41 is gray metallic, bluish when oxidized.

Color
Gray
Appearancegray metallic, bluish when oxidized
Refractive Index
Thermodynamic Properties
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion
Molar Heat Capacity
Specific Heat Capacity
Heat Capacity Ratio (Adiabatic Index)
Electrical Properties
TypeConductor
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Superconducting Point
Magnetism
Typeparamagnetic
Magnetic Susceptibility (Mass)
0.0000000276 m³/Kg
Magnetic Susceptibility (Molar)
0.00000000256 m³/mol
Magnetic Susceptibility (Volume)
0.000237
Magnetic Ordering
Curie Point
Neel Point
Structure

The Crystal Structure of Niobium is BCC. The lattice constant of Nb is 3.3 Å. The lattice angles of Element 41 are π/2, π/2, π/2.

Crystal StructureBody Centered Cubic (BCC)
Lattice Constant
Lattice Anglesπ/2, π/2, π/2
Mechanical Properties

Niobium has a Brinell of 736 MPa, Mohs hardness of 6 MPa, and Vickers of 1320 MPa. The Bulk Modulus of Nb is 170 GPa. The Shear Modulus of Element 41 is 38 GPa. The Young Modulus of Niobium (Nb) is 105 GPa. The Poisson Ratio of Niobium is 0.4. The Speed of Sound of Nb is 3480 m/s.

Hardness
Bulk Modulus
Shear Modulus
Young's Modulus
Poisson Ratio
0.4
Speed of Sound
Classification

The CAS Group of Niobium is VA. The IUPAC Group of Nb is VB. The Glawe Number of Element 41 is 53. The Mendeleev Number of Niobium (Nb) is 48. The Pettifor Number of Niobium is 52. The Geochemical Class of Nb is high field strength. The Goldschmidt Class of Element 41 is litophile.

CategoryTransition metals, Transition metals
CAS GroupVA
IUPAC GroupVB
Glawe Number53
Mendeleev Number48
Pettifor Number52
Geochemical Classhigh field strength
Goldschmidt Classlitophile

Other

The Dipole Polarizability of Niobium is 98 plus or minus 8 a₀. Nb has a C6 Dispersion Coefficient (GB) of 1140 a₀. The Allotropes of Element 41 is . The Neutron Cross Section of Niobium (Nb) is 1.15. The Neutron Mass Absorption of Niobium is 0.0004. The Quantum Numbers of Nb is 6D1/2. The Space Group of Element 41 is 229 (Im_3m).

Gas Basicity
Dipole Polarizability
C6 Dispersion Coefficient
Allotropes
Neutron Cross Section
1.15
Neutron Mass Absorption
0.0004
Quantum Numbers6D1/2
Space Group229 (Im_3m)

Isotopes of Niobium

Stable Isotopes1
Unstable Isotopes37
Natural Isotopes1

79Nb

Mass Number79
Neutron Number38
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
Spin9/2
Quadrupole Moment
Discovery Year
Parity+

Decay ModeIntensity
p (proton emission)
β+ (β+ decay; β+ = ϵ + e+)
β+ p (β+-delayed proton emission)

80Nb

Mass Number80
Neutron Number39
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
Spin4
Quadrupole Moment
Discovery Year
Parity-

Decay ModeIntensity
p (proton emission)
β+ (β+ decay; β+ = ϵ + e+)
β+ p (β+-delayed proton emission)

81Nb

Mass Number81
Neutron Number40
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
Spin9/2
Quadrupole Moment
Discovery Year
Parity+

Decay ModeIntensity
p (proton emission)
β+ (β+ decay; β+ = ϵ + e+)
β+ p (β+-delayed proton emission)

82Nb

Mass Number82
Neutron Number41
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
0
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
51 ± 5 ms
Spin0
Quadrupole Moment
0
Discovery Year1992
Parity+

Decay ModeIntensity
β+ (β+ decay; β+ = ϵ + e+)100%
β+ p (β+-delayed proton emission)

83Nb

Mass Number83
Neutron Number42
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
3.9 ± 0.2 s
Spin9/2
Quadrupole Moment
Discovery Year1988
Parity+

Decay ModeIntensity
β+ (β+ decay; β+ = ϵ + e+)100%

84Nb

Mass Number84
Neutron Number43
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
9.8 ± 0.9 s
Spin1
Quadrupole Moment
Discovery Year1977
Parity+

Decay ModeIntensity
β+ (β+ decay; β+ = ϵ + e+)100%

85Nb

Mass Number85
Neutron Number44
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
20.5 ± 0.7 s
Spin9/2
Quadrupole Moment
Discovery Year1988
Parity+

Decay ModeIntensity
β+ (β+ decay; β+ = ϵ + e+)100%

86Nb

Mass Number86
Neutron Number45
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
88 ± 1 s
Spin6
Quadrupole Moment
Discovery Year1974
Parity+

Decay ModeIntensity
β+ (β+ decay; β+ = ϵ + e+)100%

87Nb

Mass Number87
Neutron Number46
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
3.7 ± 0.1 m
Spin1/2
Quadrupole Moment
0
Discovery Year1971
Parity

Decay ModeIntensity
β+ (β+ decay; β+ = ϵ + e+)100%

88Nb

Mass Number88
Neutron Number47
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
14.5 ± 0.11 m
Spin8
Quadrupole Moment
Discovery Year1964
Parity+

Decay ModeIntensity
β+ (β+ decay; β+ = ϵ + e+)100%

89Nb

Mass Number89
Neutron Number48
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
1.3813333333333 ± 0.0011111111111111
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
2.03 ± 0.07 h
Spin9/2
Quadrupole Moment
Discovery Year1954
Parity+

Decay ModeIntensity
β+ (β+ decay; β+ = ϵ + e+)100%

90Nb

Mass Number90
Neutron Number49
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
0.61825 ± 0.0005
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
14.6 ± 0.05 h
Spin8
Quadrupole Moment
0.01 ± 0.04
Discovery Year1951
Parity+

Decay ModeIntensity
β+ (β+ decay; β+ = ϵ + e+)100%

91Nb

Mass Number91
Neutron Number50
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
1.4473333333333 ± 0.00066666666666667
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
680 ± 130 y
Spin9/2
Quadrupole Moment
-0.25 ± 0.03
Discovery Year1951
Parity+

Decay ModeIntensity
ϵ (electron capture)100%
e+ (positron emission)0.0138%

92Nb

Mass Number92
Neutron Number51
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
0.73285714285714 ± 0.00057142857142857
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
34.7 ± 2.4 My
Spin7
Quadrupole Moment
-0.35 ± 0.03
Discovery Year1938
Parity+

Decay ModeIntensity
β+ (β+ decay; β+ = ϵ + e+)100%

93Nb

Mass Number93
Neutron Number52
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
Abundance
100
RadioactivityStable
Half LifeNot Radioactive ☢️
Spin9/2
Quadrupole Moment
-0.32 ± 0.02
Discovery Year1932
Parity+

94Nb

Mass Number94
Neutron Number53
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
20.4 ± 0.4 ky
Spin6
Quadrupole Moment
Discovery Year1938
Parity+

Decay ModeIntensity
β (β decay)100%

95Nb

Mass Number95
Neutron Number54
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
1.3646666666667 ± 0.0011111111111111
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
34.991 ± 0.006 d
Spin9/2
Quadrupole Moment
Discovery Year1951
Parity+

Decay ModeIntensity
β (β decay)100%

96Nb

Mass Number96
Neutron Number55
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
0.82916666666667 ± 0.00066666666666667
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
23.35 ± 0.05 h
Spin6
Quadrupole Moment
Discovery Year1949
Parity+

Decay ModeIntensity
β (β decay)100%

97Nb

Mass Number97
Neutron Number56
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
1.3673333333333 ± 0.0011111111111111
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
72.1 ± 0.7 m
Spin9/2
Quadrupole Moment
Discovery Year1951
Parity+

Decay ModeIntensity
β (β decay)100%

98Nb

Mass Number98
Neutron Number57
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
2.86 ± 0.06 s
Spin1
Quadrupole Moment
Discovery Year1960
Parity+

Decay ModeIntensity
β (β decay)100%

99Nb

Mass Number99
Neutron Number58
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
1.3244444444444 ± 0.0066666666666667
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
15 ± 0.2 s
Spin9/2
Quadrupole Moment
-0.41 ± 0.14
Discovery Year1950
Parity+

Decay ModeIntensity
β (β decay)100%

100Nb

Mass Number100
Neutron Number59
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
1.5 ± 0.2 s
Spin1
Quadrupole Moment
Discovery Year1967
Parity+

Decay ModeIntensity
β (β decay)100%

101Nb

Mass Number101
Neutron Number60
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
1.2744 ± 0.0008
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
7.1 ± 0.3 s
Spin5/2
Quadrupole Moment
1.05 ± 0.07
Discovery Year1970
Parity+

Decay ModeIntensity
β (β decay)100%

102Nb

Mass Number102
Neutron Number61
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
4.3 ± 0.4 s
Spin4
Quadrupole Moment
Discovery Year1972
Parity+

Decay ModeIntensity
β (β decay)100%

103Nb

Mass Number103
Neutron Number62
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
1.2532 ± 0.0016
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
1.34 ± 0.07 s
Spin5/2
Quadrupole Moment
1.08 ± 0.09
Discovery Year1971
Parity+

Decay ModeIntensity
β (β decay)100%
β n (β-delayed neutron emission)

104Nb

Mass Number104
Neutron Number63
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
0.98 ± 0.05 s
Spin5
Quadrupole Moment
Discovery Year1976
Parity-

Decay ModeIntensity
β (β decay)100%
β n (β-delayed neutron emission)0.05%

105Nb

Mass Number105
Neutron Number64
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
2.91 ± 0.05 s
Spin5/2
Quadrupole Moment
Discovery Year1984
Parity+

Decay ModeIntensity
β (β decay)100%
β n (β-delayed neutron emission)1.7%

106Nb

Mass Number106
Neutron Number65
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
900 ± 20 ms
Spin1
Quadrupole Moment
Discovery Year1976
Parity-

Decay ModeIntensity
β (β decay)100%
β n (β-delayed neutron emission)4.5%

107Nb

Mass Number107
Neutron Number66
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
286 ± 8 ms
Spin5/2
Quadrupole Moment
Discovery Year1992
Parity+

Decay ModeIntensity
β (β decay)100%
β n (β-delayed neutron emission)7.4%

108Nb

Mass Number108
Neutron Number67
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
201 ± 4 ms
Spin2
Quadrupole Moment
Discovery Year1994
Parity+

Decay ModeIntensity
β (β decay)100%
β n (β-delayed neutron emission)6.3%
2n (2-neutron emission)

109Nb

Mass Number109
Neutron Number68
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
106.9 ± 4.9 ms
Spin3/2
Quadrupole Moment
Discovery Year1994
Parity-

Decay ModeIntensity
β (β decay)100%
β n (β-delayed neutron emission)31%

110Nb

Mass Number110
Neutron Number69
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
75 ± 1 ms
Spin5
Quadrupole Moment
Discovery Year1994
Parity+

Decay ModeIntensity
β (β decay)100%
β n (β-delayed neutron emission)40%
2n (2-neutron emission)

111Nb

Mass Number111
Neutron Number70
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
54 ± 2 ms
Spin3/2
Quadrupole Moment
Discovery Year1997
Parity-

Decay ModeIntensity
β (β decay)100%
β n (β-delayed neutron emission)
2n (2-neutron emission)

112Nb

Mass Number112
Neutron Number71
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
38 ± 2 ms
Spin1
Quadrupole Moment
Discovery Year1997
Parity+

Decay ModeIntensity
β (β decay)100%
β n (β-delayed neutron emission)
2n (2-neutron emission)

113Nb

Mass Number113
Neutron Number72
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
32 ± 4 ms
Spin3/2
Quadrupole Moment
Discovery Year1997
Parity-

Decay ModeIntensity
β (β decay)100%
β n (β-delayed neutron emission)
2n (2-neutron emission)

114Nb

Mass Number114
Neutron Number73
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
17 ± 5 ms
Spin2
Quadrupole Moment
Discovery Year2010
Parity-

Decay ModeIntensity
β (β decay)100%
β n (β-delayed neutron emission)
2n (2-neutron emission)

115Nb

Mass Number115
Neutron Number74
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
23 ± 8 ms
Spin3/2
Quadrupole Moment
Discovery Year2010
Parity-

Decay ModeIntensity
β (β decay)100%
β n (β-delayed neutron emission)
2n (2-neutron emission)

116Nb

Mass Number116
Neutron Number75
Relative Atomic Mass
G-Factor
Abundance
Radioactivity☢️ Radioactive
Half Life
Spin1
Quadrupole Moment
Discovery Year2018
Parity-

Decay ModeIntensity
β (β decay)
β n (β-delayed neutron emission)
2n (2-neutron emission)
Niobium crystals and 1cm3 cube

History

Niobium was discovered by the English chemist Charles Hatchett in 1801 and named the new element columbium. In 1846, German chemist Henrich Rose independently discovered the element and named it niobium. The metal was first isolated by Swedish scientist Christian Wilhelm Blomstrand in 1864 who reduced the chloride by heating it in a hydrogen atmosphere. Named after Niobe, the daughter of Tantalu

DiscoverersCharles Hatchet
Discovery LocationEngland
Discovery Year1801
Etymology (Name Origin)From Niobe; daughter of the mythical Greek king Tantalus.
Pronunciationni-OH-bee-em (English)
Some niobium compounds are highly toxic
Brazil is the leading producer of niobium

Uses

Niobium is used in arc-welding rods for stabilized grades of stainless steel. Niobium alloys are strong and are often used in pipeline construction. The metal is used in superalloys for jet engines and heat resistant equipment. Niobium is found in many medical devices such as pacemakers. Used as an alloy with iron and nickel. It can be used in nuclear reactors and is known to be superconductive when alloyed with tin, aluminum or zirconium.

Sources

Occurs in a mineral columbite. Formerly known as colombium (Cb). It is used in stainless steel alloys for nuclear reactors, jets and missiles.

Abundance
Abundance in Earth's crust
Natural Abundance (Oceans)
Natural Abundance (Human Body)
Natural Abundance (Meteor)
0.000019 %
Natural Abundance (Sun)
0.0000004 %
Abundance in Universe
0.0000002 %

Nuclear Screening Constants

1s0.8577
2p4.0178
2s10.8748
3d14.753
3p16.3844
3s15.8285
4d29.7624
4p26.9156
4s25.7172
5s35.079

Also Known As

  • Nb
  • element 41
  • 41Nb
  • columbium
  • Cb

Translations

  • Norwegian Bokmålniob
  • Frenchniobium
  • Italianniobio
  • GermanNiob
  • Dutchniobium
  • Norwegian Nynorskniob
  • Danishniobium
  • Swedishniob
  • Hungariannióbium
  • Afrikaansniobium
  • Amharicኒዮቢየም
  • AragoneseNiobio
  • Arabicنيوبيوم
  • AzerbaijaniNiobium
  • BelarusianНіобій
  • Bulgarianниобий
  • Banglaনাইওবিয়াম
  • BretonNiobiom
  • Bosnianniobij
  • Catalanniobi
  • CorsicanNiobiu
  • Czechniob
  • ChuvashНиоби
  • WelshNiobiwm
  • Greekνιόβιο
  • Esperantoniobo
  • Spanishniobio
  • Estoniannioobium
  • Basqueniobio
  • Persianنیوبیم
  • Finnishniobium
  • FriulianNiobi
  • IrishNiaibiam
  • Galicianniobio
  • ManxNeeobium
  • Hakka Chineseniobium
  • Hebrewניאוביום
  • Hindiनायोबियम
  • Fiji HindiNiobium
  • Croatianniobij
  • Haitian CreoleNyobyòm
  • Armenianնիոբիում
  • Interlinguaniobium
  • Indonesianniobium
  • Idoniobio
  • Icelandicníóbín
  • Japaneseニオブ
  • Lojbanjinmrni,obi
  • JavaneseNiobium
  • Georgianნიობიუმი
  • Korean나이오븀
  • KurdishNiyobyûm
  • KomiНиобий
  • Latinniobium
  • LuxembourgishNiob
  • LigurianNiobio
  • Lithuanianniobis
  • Latvianniobijs
  • Malayalamനിയോബിയം
  • Marathiनायोबियम
  • Western MariНиобий
  • MalayNiobium
  • nahNextictepoztli
  • Nepaliनायोबियम
  • OccitanNiòbi
  • Punjabiਨਿਓਬੀਅਮ
  • Polishniob
  • Western Panjabiنیوبیم
  • Portuguesenióbio
  • QuechuaNiyobyu
  • Romanianniobiu
  • Russianниобий
  • Sicilianniobbiu
  • Serbo-CroatianNiobijum
  • Slovakniób
  • Slovenianniobij
  • Serbianниобијум
  • Saterland FrisianNiobium
  • SwahiliNiobi
  • Tamilநையோபியம்
  • Thaiไนโอเบียม
  • Turkishniobyum
  • Uyghurنىئوبىي
  • Ukrainianніобій
  • UzbekNiobiy
  • VepsNiobii
  • Vietnameseniobi
  • WarayNiobyo
  • Wu Chinese
  • KalmykНиобиум
  • YorubaNiobium
  • Chinese
  • CebuanoNiyobyo
  • MacedonianНиобиум
  • Central Kurdishنیۆبیۆم
  • KazakhНиобий
  • Gujaratiનાયોબિયમ
  • Odiaନିଓବିଅମ
  • PiedmonteseNiòbio
  • TatarНиобий
  • Kannadaನಿಯೋಬಿಯಮ್
  • Scotsniobium
  • Teluguనియోబియం
  • SomaliNiyobiyaam
  • Belarusian (Taraskievica orthography)Ніоб
  • Cantonese
  • AlbanianNiobiumi
  • AromanianNiobiu
  • Newariनायोबियम
  • KyrgyzНиобий
  • LimburgishNiobium
  • Sanskritनायोबियम
  • Maltesenijobju
  • LombardNiobio
  • Scottish GaelicNiobium
  • Paliनायोबियम
  • TajikНиобий
  • Mongolianниоби
  • cdoNiobium
  • Min Nan ChineseNiobium
  • Bhojpuriनियोबियम
  • Tibetanནེའོ་བྷིམ་།
  • SundaneseNiobium
  • AsturianNiobiu
  • Yiddishניאביום
  • Portuguese (Brazil)nióbio
  • Literary Chinese
  • TagalogNiobyo
  • oloNiobii
  • kbpNɩyɔbɩyɔm
  • Burmeseနိုင်အိုဘီယမ်
  • Lingua Franca Novaniobio
  • Northern FrisianNiobium
  • Chinese (Traditional)
  • Chinese (Taiwan)
  • Chinese (Simplified)
  • SardinianNiòbiu
  • KotavaNiobel
  • Moroccan Arabicنيوبيوم
  • Egyptian Arabicنيوبيوم
  • Pashtoنايوبيوم
  • CornishNiobiom
  • BalineseNiobium
  • BikolNiobyo
  • Urduنیوبیئم
  • Korean (North Korea)니오비움
  • MalagasyNiôbioma
  • ZuluINobo