This lecture provides basic information on the chemistry of plutonium. Discussion on the nuclear properties of 238Pu and 239Pu are included. Environmental concentrations of plutonium, including 244Pu and naturally produced 239Pu, are discussed. Large scale plutonium separations are presented, emphasizing the PUREX process. The use of volatility and ion exchange as plutonium separation techniques are also given. The synthesis and properties are metallic plutonium are described in detail. An review of metal preparation methods are provided, including the plutonium-gallium phase diagram. The physical properties of plutonium metal are given and discussed. The solution chemistry of plutonium is depicted though coordination and spectroscopy as a function of oxidation state. Examples are provided on various nature of plutonium chemistry in the tributylphosphate-nitric acid system and colloids. The non-aqueous chemistry of plutonium is described and related to electronic structure.
Is one of the answer choices supposed to read alpha decay of 242Cm on question 2 for a method to produce plutonium? If not, then what is a method?
ReplyDeleteThe Cm isotopes are correctly listed. A method is any route or technique, this includes decay. For the questions look for routes that produce Pu and fissile Pu isotopes.
ReplyDeletePlease let me know if you need any further comments. Thanks for the question and comment.
Comments on the Pu PDF quiz are posted.
ReplyDeleteThis lecture, while similar to Neptunium's, still brought about very interesting ideas, especially with the nuclear reactions and the history behind its usages during war times. I am especially glad that there was a question about the varying states of Pu(s), since that was one of the things I not only found fascinating, but also slightly confusing. Your discussion on it however was immensely helpful, so thank you!
ReplyDeleteI always liked the different colors associated with the Pu oxidation states.
DeleteInteresting lecture and topic. Especially learning about the different phases and structure of Plutonium.
ReplyDeletethanks for the comments. The different metallic phases are a great property of Pu.
DeleteThis lecture provided a lot of information regarding plutonium. I felt that the figures provided containing graphs based on the different phases were helpful in visualizing the differences between each phase.
ReplyDeletethanks!!. Glad to hear the figures were helpful in understanding the material.
DeleteIt was interesting to learn that Pu's final solid phase is at a lower density/larger size than when it is a liquid. I never knew it was similar to ice/water.
ReplyDeletePu has more interesting properties than any other element, IMHO. This includes both electronic and nuclear.
DeletePlutonium is just one of those elements that there seems to be enough information to have even more lectures on. It just has so many applications and does things that are kinda abnormal. My favorite thing with sciences is seeing things that can defy the general norm of what we would expect things to normally do.
ReplyDeleteIn the actinide course the Pu lecture spans 2.5 weeks..
ReplyDeleteI was amazed by the numerous phases of Pu due to the 5f electrons and the energy levels. Another interesting aspect of this lecture was to see how it can be separed via the PUTREX process for aqueous solutions.
ReplyDeleteI was rather confused about the PUREX process in this lecture. I'm glad to have had the chance to discuss it during office hours.
ReplyDeleteIf not for the graphs posted about for the different phases it would have been hard to picture how the phases come together.
ReplyDelete