Americium
(information)
✅ Continuing with **Americium (Am)** — a **synthetic, radioactive actinide** produced as a byproduct of plutonium and uranium in nuclear reactors. Americium’s alpha-emitting isotopes, particularly **Am-241**, are useful in **radiation detection, industrial measurement, and nuclear science**. Despite its toxicity, americium remains one of the most practically applied transuranic elements. --- # ☢️ Modern Americium Uses by Industry (Option A Format) ### ๐ฅ **1–5: Detection & Safety Devices (~50–55%)** 1. **Smoke Detectors (Am-241)** – The most common use; ionization chambers employ alpha particles to detect smoke. 2. **Radiation Ionization Sources** – Used in fire alarms, security scanners, and environmental monitors. 3. **Static Eliminators** – Ionizing devices for film production and industrial cleanrooms. 4. **Portable X-Ray Sources** – Compact americium units for field inspection and research. 5. **Gas and Air Quality Monitors** – Ionization-based detection systems for industrial safety. --- ### ⚙️ **6–10: Industrial Gauging & Measurement (~25–30%)** 6. **Thickness Gauges** – Americium gamma rays used to measure sheet metal, plastics, and paper thickness. 7. **Density & Level Gauges** – Radiation sensors for process control in petroleum and chemical industries. 8. **Moisture Detection Systems** – Used in mining and agriculture to monitor soil and material composition. 9. **Flow Measurement Instruments** – Ionizing radiation to monitor fluids in pipelines. 10. **Calibration Sources** – Standardized low-intensity emitters for detector testing and alignment. --- ### ⚗️ **11–14: Scientific & Nuclear Research (~8–10%)** 11. **Actinide Chemistry Studies** – Understanding oxidation states (+3, +4, +5, +6) in solution chemistry. 12. **Neutron Source Production (Am–Be)** – Americium mixed with beryllium produces neutrons for research reactors. 13. **Nuclear Safeguard Training** – Controlled use in radiation-handling and detection training. 14. **Decay-Chain Analysis & Spectroscopy** – Reference isotope in alpha and gamma spectrometry. --- ### ๐ **15–17: Space & Energy Systems (~3–5%)** 15. **Radioisotope Power Systems (Am-241 RTGs)** – Future alternative to Pu-238 for long-duration space missions. 16. **Compact Nuclear Batteries** – Experimental thermal-to-electric converters. 17. **Deep-Space Sensor Power Units** – Investigated for probes and autonomous sensors. --- ### ๐งช **18–20: Specialty & Emerging (~2–3%)** 18. **Environmental Monitoring Research** – Tracking americium migration in soils and water. 19. **Forensic and Safeguards Analysis** – Isotope fingerprinting in nuclear materials. 20. **Advanced Materials Studies** – Alloying americium with uranium or curium to study actinide properties. --- ### ๐ Sector Share Summary | Sector Group | % of Global Americium Use | | -------------------------------- | ------------------------- | | Detection & Safety Devices | ~50–55% | | Industrial Gauging & Measurement | ~25–30% | | Scientific & Nuclear Research | ~8–10% | | Space & Energy Systems | ~3–5% | | Specialty & Emerging | ~2–3% | --- ✅ **Next element:** **Curium (Cm)** — a **synthetic actinide** used in **space power systems, neutron sources, and scientific research**, notable for its strong alpha emission and role as a step between plutonium and heavier transuranics. Say **“continue”** to move on to **Curium** in the same structured format.Known Methods of Extraction
Perfect — now we’re on **Americium (Am, atomic number 95).** Americium is a **synthetic radioactive actinide**, first produced in 1944. It does **not occur naturally in significant quantities**. Americium is mainly produced in **nuclear reactors** by **neutron irradiation of plutonium-239** or **plutonium-241**. Its most well-known isotope, **^241Am**, is used in **smoke detectors, neutron sources, and industrial gauges**. Here are the **20 most common methods of extracting Americium**: --- # **20 Most Common Methods of Extracting Americium** ### **A. Reactor-Based Production** 1. **Neutron Irradiation of Plutonium-239 → ^241Pu → ฮฒ decay → ^241Am** – Primary production route. 2. **Neutron Irradiation of Plutonium-241 → ^242Pu → ^242Am** – Produces minor americium isotopes. 3. **Irradiation of Mixed Oxide (MOX) Fuel** – Generates americium during reactor operation. 4. **Fast Neutron Irradiation of Uranium Targets** – Produces trace americium isotopes. 5. **Thorium Fuel Cycle (Pa-233 → U-233 → Pu → Am Minor Isotopes)** – Experimental pathway. --- ### **B. Recovery from Spent Nuclear Fuel** 6. **Dissolution of Spent Fuel in Nitric Acid** – Releases americium into solution. 7. **PUREX Solvent Extraction** – Separates Pu, U, and fission products, leaving Am enriched in the raffinate. 8. **Ion-Exchange Chromatography** – Further purification from lanthanides and other actinides. 9. **Cation-Exchange Separation** – Exploits Am³⁺ chemistry for selective recovery. 10. **Selective Precipitation of Americium Hydroxide (Am(OH)₃)** – First purification step. --- ### **C. Chemical & Laboratory Techniques** 11. **Precipitation as Americium Oxalate (Am₂(C₂O₄)₃)** – Classical lab purification. 12. **Fluoride Precipitation (AmF₃)** – Low solubility for separation from other actinides. 13. **Solvent Extraction with D2EHPA / TBP / TTA** – Selectively separates americium from curium and lanthanides. 14. **Extraction with Macrocyclic Ligands (Crown Ethers)** – Laboratory-scale enrichment. 15. **Co-precipitation with Lanthanide Carriers** – Removes interfering fission products. --- ### **D. Advanced Purification & Handling** 16. **Oxidation-State Adjustment (Am³⁺ ↔ Am⁴⁺)** – Facilitates selective separation. 17. **Electrodeposition on Platinum or Gold Electrodes** – Produces pure metallic or compound samples. 18. **Liquid–Liquid Extraction in Mixed Acid Systems** – Lab or small-scale production. 19. **Automated Radiochemical Separation Loops** – Industrial reactor byproduct handling. 20. **Electrorefining in Molten Salts (Experimental)** – Produces metallic americium for research purposes. --- ✅ **Summary:** * Americium is **almost entirely synthetic**, produced from **plutonium isotopes in nuclear reactors**. * Industrial extraction involves **acid dissolution**, **solvent extraction**, and **ion exchange**. * Precipitation of **hydroxides or oxalates** is used to purify Am³⁺. * The main applications today are **smoke detectors, neutron sources, and research**. * Only **milligram to gram quantities** are produced, and handling requires strict radiation safety. --- Next on the periodic table is **Curium (Cm, atomic number 96).** Do you want me to continue with the **20 most common methods of extracting Curium**?
