Ionium

Ionium is a term that has been used historically to refer to an isotope of thorium, specifically thorium-230. Thorium-230 is a radioactive isotope with a half-life of approximately 75,380 years. It is a member of the uranium decay series, specifically the decay product of uranium-234.

The term "ionium" was coined in the early 20th century when this isotope was first identified. However, with advancements in nuclear physics and the development of more precise nomenclature, it became clear that ionium was simply a specific isotope of the element thorium. The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) officially designates it as thorium-230.

Thorium-230 is found naturally in uranium ores and is also produced in nuclear reactors. Due to its radioactivity, it has a number of applications and implications. It has been used in scientific research, particularly in geochronology for dating geological samples and in studies of nuclear reactions. Its presence in the environment also has implications for radioactive waste management. Despite the historical use of the term "ionium," the scientific community now exclusively uses "thorium-230" to refer to this specific isotope.