Selenium - 34Se: uses
The following uses for selenium are gathered from a number of sources as well as from anecdotal comments. I would be delighted to receive corrections as well as additional referenced uses.
- Selenium exhibits both photovoltaic action, where light is converted directly into electricity, and photoconductive action, where the electrical resistance decreases with increased illumination. These properties make selenium useful in the production of photocells and exposure meters for photographic use, as well as solar cells.
- Selenium is also able to convert a.c. electricity to d.c., and is extensively used in rectifiers
- the solid is a p-type semiconductor and is useful in electronic and solid-state applications
- used in photocopying for reproducing and copying documents, letters, etc.
- used by the glass industry to decolourise glass and to make ruby coloured glasses and enamels
- photographic toner
- additive for stainless steel