Monday, April 11, 2016

Spring 2016: CHEM 312 Lecture 15 Americium and Curium Chemistry

This lecture introduces the chemistry of americium and curium. Both elements are discussed due to their similar chemical behavior, particularly in separations. However, important differences in their chemistry are highlighted. For americium pentavalent and hexavalent species are achievable. For curium, its unique fluorescence properties are highlighted. The nuclear properties of americium and curium isotopes are provided. Isotope production focus on those formed from multiple neutron capture. These isotopes, 241Am, 243Am, 244Cm and 248Cm, are used to explore americium and curium chemistry. The basic solution chemistry is described, along with implications for fuel cycle separations. Methods for the separation of americium and curium are provided, including solvent extractions, anion exchange, precipitation, and molten salt techniques. Synthesis and characterization of americium and curium metals, alloys, and compounds are provided, with emphasis placed on those compounds of importance to the nuclear fuel cycle. The non-aqueous and coordination chemistry of these elements are introduced. The limited available data offers an avenue for novel explorations and future research directions.

16 comments:

  1. Good Morning. Not sure if anyone else had a problem with the powerpoint download of the Am and Cm show #2. Can it be uploaded to the website again? Thanks!

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  2. Reloaded. Should be operational. Thanks

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  3. Lecture finished and Quiz is on its way.

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  4. I finished the Quiz and Lecture. I think the most interesting part was the use of ion exchange to separate the actinides like Am and Cm from the lanthanides, even though it cannot be applied on a larger scale.

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  5. Finished the quiz and lecture. Great lectures! Interesting to see how important the pH of a given solution is for controlling the oxidation states of both Am and Cm.

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    1. Thank you for the comment and recognizing the power of pH

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  6. Finished the quiz and lecture. Great lectures! Interesting to see how important the pH of a given solution is for controlling the oxidation states of both Am and Cm.

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  7. Finished the quiz and lecture. Americium is still my favorite element!

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  8. Finished lecture and quiz. Its interesting to see that Am can exist as three different crystal structures which will influence its melting point.

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  9. Finished lecture and quiz. Its interesting to see that Am can exist as three different crystal structures which will influence its melting point.

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  10. Finished the quiz and lecture. Not too bad. I kept having to go back in the video to find the detection limit though.

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  11. Just finished the quiz and lecture. I have really been enjoying going in depth with these different elements. There's a ton of interesting and cool information.

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  12. finished the lecture and quiz

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