17 Iodine Uses in Different Industries (Need To Know Facts)

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Iodine is a stable halogen which has semi-lustrous appearance with atomic number 53. Let us read some industrial uses of iodine in this article.

The industries that are using iodine are discussed below:

  • Chemical analysis
  • Molecular spectroscopy
  • Propellent
  • Organic chemistry
  • Photography
  • Food and harvesting

We will be discussing the key uses of iodine in propellent, chemistry, photography and food industry through the article below.

Chemical analysis

  • Iodine performs as an indicator to check presence of starch during iodometry.
  • The detection of counterfeit banknotes is done using iodine.
  • Number of unsaturated bonds in a compound can be counted using iodine.
  • Iodine reagents tests the presence of ammonia, methyl ketones and alkaloids.

Molecular spectroscopy

  • As wavelength reference substance as iodine shows sharp and clear spectral lines in wide range of wavelengths.
  • Crystal scintillators for detection of gamma rays are made from calcium-iodide and sodium-iodide.The spectroscopy is highly efficient and energy dispersive but the quality is rather poor than other methods available.

Propellent

  • Grided ion thrustors are now being replaced with propulsion systems contained with iodine.
  • NASA’s DART mission used iodine as the propellent because its less cost and higher efficiency.
  • Ionization energy and atomic weight of iodine is much lesser than xenon making it a promising substitute.
  • Iodine in ion-thrust technology helps to build mechanical parts of spacecrafts which will self-destruct themselves when of no use.

Organic chemistry

  • Iodine as a catalyst for acetic acid production during the Cativa and Monsanto process.
  • Cloud seeding uses thousands of kilograms of iodine to induce rain.
  • Iodine is consumed in large portions, while the production of ethylenediamine dihydroiodide.
  • Oscillatory reactions are demonstrated using iodine clock reactions.
  • Iodine is applied in radiolabels for investigation of ligands present in PRRs (plant pattern recognition receptors).

Photography

Photographic films traditionally consist of silver iodine.

Food and harvesting

Iodine is mixed with fungicides to protect the crop from insects without contaminating the crops.

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Industrial uses of Iodine

Conclusion

In the end, we can conclude that iodine has widespread applications in organic synthesis and reactions. Modern spacecraft propellant fuels consist of iodine because of its chemical properties, which provide advantages like efficiency and less volume. Farming industries has started to use iodine more frequently in controlled environment and reducing the unnecessary effects.