Promethium Discovery Can Change Chemistry Forever
Though it sounds like something that came out of the Warhammer 40k universe, Promethium is actually a real chemical element that naturally occurs in the Earth’s crust. However, it’s extremely rare, and only about 500-600 grams (approximately a pound) of this rare metal can be found in nature. Of course, this significantly limited our studies of Promethium for the past 80 years, but now, scientists have found a way to not only produce the material but also study it more directly.
Finally Getting A Good Look
Named after a mythological Titan who delivered fire to humans, Promethium–as the last of the lanthanides–was discovered in 1945. Due to its rare occurrence in nature, its lack of stable isotopes, relatively short half-life, and radioactivity, the research on Promethium has been limited thus far.
Fortunately, the scientists at ORNL have now successfully characterized a Promethium complex in solution for the first time, which allows them to measure the properties of the material directly, filling a rather significant knowledge gap in the chemistry of lanthanides.
Specific Properties
By creating a stable complex of Promethium and conducting detailed spectroscopic analysis, researchers at ORNL, Alex Ivanov, Santa Jansone-Popova, and Ilja Popovs, have uncovered specific properties associated with Promethium, such as bond lengths and chemical behavior of the element in solution.
What makes this interesting, though, is that this is the first time these characteristics have been directly observed rather than inferred.
Lanthanide Contraction
The research they conducted provides further insight into lanthanide contraction—which is the phenomenon where the atomic radius on lanthanides decreases as the atomic number increases.
This is really important, as it provides new insight that helps scientists predict and manipulate the electronic properties of Promethium and other lanthanides, which are used in some high-tech applications, medical equipment, cancer treatment pharmaceuticals, etc.
A Leap Forward
This groundbreaking discovery also has vast technological implications, as it offers a path to improved lanthanide extraction and refining methods. Lanthanides are pricey due to their rarity, but the improved production, extraction, and refining methods could make the production much more cost-effective, making these materials more accessible for tech applications.
The real reason why the new Promethium discovery is so fascinating and newsworthy is because it represents a leap forward in understanding the chemistry and material science of lanthanides.
Tech Applications
Promethium research promises further advancements in technology and industry that rely on rare earth elements for their bread and butter.
One of these industries is the aerospace industry, and Promethium and other rare earth metals are used to create special-application batteries for space applications.
Apart from that, the research into Promethium conducted at ORNL also shows just how powerful collaboration is since it requires a combination of interdisciplinary expertise to solve the complex scientific problem associated with Promethium studies.
So, it’s not hard to imagine just how far further collaboration between different disciplines, departments, companies, and even nations could improve the quality of life of humans on this planet. Sure, we might’ve solved a chemical problem today, but we’re slowly walking toward becoming a space-faring civilization that roams the galaxies.
Source: SciTechDaily
