Actinium

Jul 17 2001

Chemical Formula

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Ac

Background

Discovered Andre Debierne in 1899 and independently by F. Giesel in 1902. Actinium occurs naturally in association with uranium minerals.

Actinium-227 is a decay product of uranium-235, which is a beta emitter with a half-life of 21.7-years. Primary decay products are thorium-227 and radium-223 accompanied by short-lived products of radon, bismuth, polonium and lead isotopes. In equilibrium with its decay products it is a powerful emitter of alpha rays where it decays to Actinium K, a radioactive isotope of francium.

Actinium metal can be prepared by the reduction of actinium fluoride with lithium vapour at approximately 1100-1300°C.

Applications

Actinium is approximately 150 times as active as radium, therefore making it of value in the production of neutrons.

 

Primary author: AZoM.com

 

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