Pyrochlore is dissolved in HF/H2SO4; Nb is separated from Ta by solvent extraction into MIBK. Nb2O5 is reduced by aluminothermite for ferroniobium, or by Na for pure metal.
Research Elements Nb · atomic number 41 Transition metal · period 5, group 5 [Kr] 4d4 5s1 Shells: 2, 8, 18, 12, 1 Valence electrons: 1 in the outer shell (5s1), and 4 in 4d4 Green dots are the outer shell's s and p electrons. Softer green dots are the d electrons of transition metals, and the d and f electrons of lanthanides and actinides: they often take part in bonding, but not always. Grey dots are the core. Ground-state configuration from the NIST Atomic Spectra Database (A. Kramida, Yu. Ralchenko, J. Reader and the NIST ASD Team). Abundance is the mole fraction of the element found as that isotope on Earth; digits in parentheses are the uncertainty in the last digits. Masses and abundances from NIST, Atomic Weights and Isotopic Compositions (J. S. Coursey, D. J. Schwab, J. J. Tsai and R. A. Dragoset, National Institute of Standards and Technology).Niobium
Electrons
How it's obtained
Natural isotopes
Isotope Relative atomic mass Abundance 93Nb 92.9063730(20) 1