Cadmium oxide is used in cadmium plating baths, electrodes for storage batteries, cadmium salts, catalyst, ceramic glazes, phosphors, and nematocide. Major uses for cadmium oxide are as an ingredient for electroplating baths, optoelectronic devices, and in pigments.
Cadmium is a shiny metal with a bluish cast (shade) to it. It is very soft and can almost be scratched with a fingernail. Its melting point is 321°C (610°F) and its boiling point is 765°C(1,410°F). The density of cadmium is 8.65 grams per cubic centimeter.
cadmium oxide forms on the surface of cadmium in moist air at room temperature.Cadmium will oxidize at room temperatures to form CdO. Cadmium vapor and steam will form CdO and hydrogen in a reversible reaction.
Cadmium joined with nickel creates a rechargeable battery called nicad. Nicad is used in rechargeable devices such as calculators as well as aviation batteries. One of the first cordless cell phones were made with nicad batteries.