Plutoniums

Plutoniums refers to plutonium and its various isotopes and compounds. Plutonium is a radioactive actinide metal with the symbol Pu and atomic number 94. It was discovered in 1940 by a team that included Glenn T. Seaborg and Edwin M. McMillan at the University of California, Berkeley, and named after the planet Pluto.

Isotopes and uses: The element has several radioactive isotopes. Pu-239 is fissile and has been central to nuclear weapons and many reactor designs; Pu-238 is an alpha emitter used as a heat source for space missions and compact power systems; Pu-240 accompanies Pu-239 in many reactor-produced mixtures and can complicate weapon design due to its higher rate of spontaneous fission; Pu-241 decays to americium-241, contributing to long-term radiological hazard. The relative abundance of isotopes in a sample influences its suitability for fuel versus weapons use.

Properties: Plutonium is a dense, silvery metal that tarnishes in air and forms a variety of oxides. It exhibits multiple oxidation states from +3 to +6, with +4 and +6 being common in compounds. It has several allotropic forms and is notably brittle in certain conditions; in metal form it reacts with many chemicals and can ignite when finely divided in air.

Occurrence and production: Plutonium is not found in usable quantities in nature. It is produced in nuclear reactors by irradiating uranium-238 and chemically separated from spent fuel or reprocessed materials. The bulk of commercial plutonium today is recovered from spent reactor fuel and prepared for recycling as mixed-oxide fuel or other forms.

Safety and regulation: Plutonium is highly radiotoxic if inhaled or ingested and poses long-term environmental hazards. It is subject to strict international and national regulations, with stringent controls on handling, storage, and disposal to prevent unauthorized use and uncontrolled criticality.