- Dysprosium (Dy) is a bright, silvery-white rare earth metal with atomic number 66, belonging to the lanthanide series of the periodic table.
- Its electron configuration is [Xe] 4f¹⁰ 6s², and it typically forms Dy³⁺ ions as its most stable oxidation state, though the +2 state occurs in certain compounds under reducing conditions. The atomic structure contains sixty-six protons, most commonly ninety-seven or ninety-eight neutrons in its stable isotopes, and sixty-six electrons arranged in six shells.
- Naturally occurring dysprosium is composed of seven stable isotopes, with dysprosium-164 (¹⁶⁴Dy) being the most abundant at approximately 28.2%.
- Dysprosium is not found in its free metallic state in nature but occurs in rare earth minerals such as xenotime (YPO₄), monazite ((Ce,La,Nd,Th)PO₄), and bastnäsite ((Ce,La)(CO₃)F). Commercial extraction involves separating dysprosium from other lanthanides through ion-exchange and solvent extraction processes. The primary production comes from China, with smaller contributions from countries such as the USA, Australia, India, and Brazil.
- The element was discovered in 1886 by French chemist Paul-Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran, who isolated it from holmium oxide using chemical separation methods. Its name comes from the Greek word “dysprositos,” meaning “hard to get,” reflecting the difficulty of separating it from other rare earth elements.
- Dysprosium is highly valued for its exceptional magnetic properties, especially at elevated temperatures. It is a key component in high-performance permanent magnets, such as neodymium–iron–boron (NdFeB) magnets, where it improves resistance to demagnetization under high-temperature operating conditions—critical for electric motors, wind turbine generators, and aerospace applications. Dysprosium’s strong neutron absorption cross-section also makes it important in nuclear reactor control rods. In lighting, dysprosium iodide is used in high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps to produce bright white light, mimicking daylight. Dysprosium-doped materials are also used in lasers and certain optical applications.
- Chemically, dysprosium is moderately reactive. It tarnishes slowly in dry air but more quickly in humid environments, forming a protective oxide layer. It reacts slowly with cold water and more rapidly with hot water, producing dysprosium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. Dysprosium dissolves readily in acids, forming Dy³⁺ salts that are generally pale yellow to white in color.
- Biologically, dysprosium has no known essential role in living organisms. It is considered to have low to moderate toxicity, but as with all fine metal powders and soluble salts, inhalation or ingestion should be avoided.
- From an environmental perspective, dysprosium in mineral form is stable and poses minimal direct hazard. However, its mining and processing are associated with the environmental impacts typical of rare earth extraction, including chemical waste and possible release of radioactive by-products from thorium- and uranium-containing ores.
