europium

Europium is a chemical element with the symbol Eu and atomic number 63. It is a silvery-white, soft lanthanide metal that is highly reactive and tarnishes in air. In nature, europium is not found free; it occurs primarily in rare-earth minerals such as monazite and bastnäsite and is extracted as part of the broader processing of rare earth ores. The element was discovered in 1901 by the French chemist Eugène Demarcay, from a mineral sample in gadolinite, and was named after Europe.

Chemistry and properties are notable for two stable oxidation states: +2 and +3. The Eu3+ state is common in many compounds, while Eu2+ can be stabilized in certain host lattices and exhibits distinctive luminescent behavior. Europium compounds, particularly europium-doped materials, are important in lighting and display technology. Europium metal is reactive and tends to form oxides when exposed to air.

Isotopes and occurrence: Natural europium consists of two stable isotopes, Eu-151 and Eu-153, in approximately comparable abundances. No long-lived radioisotopes are considered naturally significant.

Applications: The primary use of europium is in phosphors for color displays and lighting. Eu3+-doped compounds produce red emission, while Eu2+-doped materials can emit blue to green light depending on the host lattice. These properties are exploited in fluorescent lamps, displays, and some white LED phosphors, making europium one of the more important rare-earth dopants.

Safety and handling: As with other lanthanides, europium compounds should be handled with care to avoid inhalation or ingestion of powders, and proper storage is recommended to limit oxidation.