CHEM 418 Nuclear Chemistry, Winter 2018: Lecture 14 Plutonium Chemistry

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, including244Pu 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.  The lecture is in 3 parts; part 1 is 38 minutes, part 2 is 38 minutes, and part 3 is 37 minutes.

The lecture is assigned on Saturday 17 February 2018 and due Friday 23 February 2018. The answers to the Lecture 14 PDF quiz will be posted Saturday 24 February.