Ce138

Ce-138 is the cerium-138 isotope, a nuclide of the element cerium (chemical symbol Ce) with 58 protons and 80 neutrons. It is one of the naturally occurring isotopes of cerium and contributes a small fraction to the element’s overall natural abundance.

Stability and decay: Ce-138 is considered a stable isotope in current nuclear data, showing no known radioactive decay on geological timescales. As a result, its half-life is effectively infinite for practical purposes. Its ground-state spin is expected to be 0+, consistent with many even-even nuclei in the cerium region.

Natural abundance and occurrence: In natural cerium, Ce-138 is present as a minor component, typically described as making up a small portion of the isotopic mix. Like other stable cerium isotopes, it cannot be separated from its neighbors by chemical means and is identified through instrumental techniques such as mass spectrometry.

Production and measurement: Ce-138 can be observed in naturally occurring cerium-bearing minerals. In laboratory settings, it can also be produced or enriched through neutron capture or other nuclear reactions, though natural occurrence remains the primary source for this isotope. Isotopic abundances are measured using high-precision mass spectrometry and, when relevant, gamma spectroscopy for supporting information.

Chemical behavior and applications: As an isotope of cerium, Ce-138 shares identical chemical properties with other cerium isotopes. It participates in the same oxidation-state chemistry, forming Ce3+ and Ce4+ species under appropriate conditions. In geochemistry and cosmochemistry, isotopes of cerium, including Ce-138, are used in isotopic analysis and tracer studies to understand planetary formation and geological processes.

See also: Cerium isotopes, Isotopes of cerium.