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
I finished the Lecture and Quiz. I am a little confused by the oxidation of Pu metal. I understand from the lecture that Pu oxidation and corrosion occur in the presence of oxygen, hydrogen, water, etc. I was wondering how the metal would be stored for long periods of time? I used to assume it would be under vacuum and cool storage but part 2 of the lecture depicts increase in the Pu(III) oxide layer under vacuum/inert gas conditions.
ReplyDeleteGreat question. Pu metal is stored in can. They are heated and treated to remove as much water and oxygen as possible, but not all is eliminated. The metal corrosion is due to residual amounts of water and oxygen present. Under oxygen depleted conditions the Pu(III) oxide forms. The metal is sealed in cans under these conditions for long term storage. More information can be found in the Los Alamos Pu document or on the web, with an example at: http://www.iaea.org/inis/collection/NCLCollectionStore/_Public/25/040/25040128.pdf
DeleteOk, thank you for the reference. I'll check it out
DeleteFinished the lecture and quiz. That was a lot of interesting information about plutonium. I was wondering why HF helps with the dissolution PuO2?
ReplyDeleteJust finished the lecture and quiz! This was a lot of information but it was fun to learn!
ReplyDeleteJust finished the lecture and quiz! This was a lot of information but it was fun to learn!
ReplyDeleteFinished the lecture and quiz. There was indeed alot of information in that lecture.
ReplyDeleteSo many videos........but I finished the quiz and lecture.
ReplyDeleteJust finished the lectures and quiz. A lot of information to try to take in but it was very interesting to learn about how f-orbital electrons affect bonding.
ReplyDeleteFinished the lecture and submitted the quiz.
ReplyDeleteI have completed and submitted the quiz.
ReplyDeleteWow, finally done. this was a long and pretty technical lecture. Amazing element with really interesting properties.
ReplyDeleteFinished the lecture and quiz
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