Sunday, July 5, 2015

Summer 2015: Lecture 14 Plutonium Chemistry

This lecture provides basic information on the chemistry of plutonium in three parts. 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, including 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 the various nature of plutonium chemistry in the solution phase, as colloids, and solid phase. The non-aqueous chemistry of plutonium is described and related to electronic structure. 

15 comments:

  1. The link to the reading is broken, any chance you can repost it?

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  2. sorry about that. It is now fixed.

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  3. Thanks! Also, the link in the power point works too.

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  4. Is the fission of 235U a valid way to produce Pu? Obviously not directly, since Pu has a higher atomic number. But you say in your lecture that you can form Pu through neutron multiplication. Does this mean the neutrons produced from the spontaneous fission of 235U can hit other 235U atoms and make Pu? That doesn't really make sense since you're adding neutrons and not protons. I guess I'm just confused about this--any clarification would be appreciated.

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  5. you are correct in this, I thought about it when i wrote the question. The question was designed to just evaluate the end product. However your additional comment makes sense.

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  6. Comment on Pu PDF quiz. Question 2, the fission of 235U make fission products; no Pu. However the neutrons produced can yield capture on U that eventually produce Pu. Some have answers this as yes based on the capture reaction. Either answer will be accepted.

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  7. So this quiz really informed me on Plutonium, I learned it only has two fissle products, 239 and 241. Submitted!

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  9. Being from Hanford it was awesome to learn more about Plutonium!

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  10. I found the Aries process of producing plutonium hydride from metal very interesting. I had never heard of this process before.

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    Replies
    1. the process is a nice use of fundamental chemistry

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