Application
Lead telluride (PbTe) is a versatile material with significant applications across various fields due to its semiconductive and photoconductive properties. Forming white cubic crystals with a specific gravity of 8.16 and a hardness of 3 on the Mohs scale, this compound is slightly soluble in water and melts at 917 °C. It is synthesized by melting lead and tellurium together. Lead telluride is widely used in pyrometry and heat-sensing instruments such as bolometers and infrared spectroscopes, where it plays a role in converting heat directly into electricity through thermoelectric elements. Additionally, it serves as a catalyst for oxygen reduction in fuel cells, a cathode in primary batteries paired with lithium anodes, and is integral to electrical contacts for vacuum switches and lead-ion selective electrodes. In the realm of advanced technology, it finds use in tunable lasers, thermistors, and infrared detector applications, including spacecraft power systems, infrared detection, imaging, and solar cells. Its energy efficiency has been enhanced for improved performance, and it is commonly employed in semiconductor research and photoconductor cells, making it a critical material in modern electronics and energy solutions.