Neptunium (Np)
| Atomic Number | 93 |
|---|---|
| Atomic Mass | 237 u |
| Category | Actinide |
| Electron Config | [Rn] 5f⁴ 6d¹ 7s² |
| Appearance | silvery metallic |
| Density (STP) | 20450 g/L |
| Melting Point | 912 K |
| Boiling Point | 4447 K |
| Electronegativity | 1.36 (Pauling) |
| Ionization Energy | 604.5 kJ/mol |
| Atomic Radius | 175 pm |
| Crystal Structure | Simple Orthorhombic |
| Discovered By | Edwin McMillan (1940) |
Brief Introduction
Neptunium (Np) is a silvery, radioactive actinide metal. It is the first transuranic element and is produced in nuclear reactors. Key details about Neptunium (Np) are as follows:
Uses: Used in neutron detection equipment and as a precursor for plutonium-238 production (used in radioisotope thermoelectric generators for spacecraft). No large-scale commercial applications.
Production/Extraction: Produced as a byproduct in nuclear reactors when uranium-238 captures neutrons. Can also be extracted from spent nuclear fuel. Not found in significant quantities in nature.
History: Discovered in 1940 by Edwin McMillan and Philip Abelson at UC Berkeley. Named after the planet Neptune, following uranium (named after Uranus).
Health Effects & Safety: Highly radioactive and toxic. Accumulates in bones. Emits alpha particles. Requires strict containment and handling in specialized facilities.
Price/Market: Not commercially traded. Produced and used only in controlled nuclear facilities and research laboratories.
Properties: Radioactive, silvery metallic appearance, dense, exists in multiple oxidation states (+3 to +7), most stable isotope Np-237 has half-life of 2.14 million years, melting point around 644°C.
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