Europium (Eu)
| Atomic Number | 63 |
|---|---|
| Atomic Mass | 151.9641 u |
| Category | Lanthanide |
| Electron Config | [Xe] 4f⁷ 6s² |
| Appearance | silvery white |
| Density (STP) | 5244 g/L |
| Melting Point | 1099 K |
| Boiling Point | 1802 K |
| Electronegativity | 1.2 (Pauling) |
| Ionization Energy | 547.1 kJ/mol |
| Atomic Radius | 185 pm |
| Crystal Structure | Body-centered Cubic |
| Discovered By | Eugène-Anatole Demarçay (1901) |
Brief Introduction
Europium (Eu) is a soft, silvery rare earth metal that is the most reactive of the rare earth elements. It oxidizes rapidly in air and reacts vigorously with water. Key details about Europium (Eu) are as follows:
Uses: Used in red and blue phosphors for color television screens and LED lights, euro banknotes (anti-counterfeiting fluorescence), fluorescent lamps, lasers, and in nuclear reactor control rods (excellent neutron absorber).
Production/Extraction: Extracted from monazite and bastnäsite ores. One of the rarest and most expensive rare earth elements. China dominates production.
History: Discovered in 1896 by Eugène-Anatole Demarçay in France through spectroscopic analysis. Named after Europe.
Health Effects & Safety: Low toxicity but highly reactive. Reacts with water and must be stored under inert atmosphere or mineral oil. No known biological role. Dust is flammable.
Price/Market: Most expensive stable rare earth element due to low abundance and high demand for phosphor applications. Price sensitive to display technology trends.
Properties: Softest rare earth metal, most reactive lanthanide (reacts with water), exhibits +2 and +3 oxidation states, excellent red phosphor properties, strong neutron absorber, and compounds fluoresce brightly under UV light.
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