O. V. Petrushkin

Chemical characterization of element 112

The heaviest elements to have been chemically characterized are seaborgium (element 106), bohrium (element 107) and hassium (element 108). All three behave according to their respective positions in groups 6, 7 and 8 of the periodic table, which arranges elements according to their outermost electrons and hence their chemical properties. However, the chemical characterization results are not trivial: relativistic effects on the electronic structure of the heaviest elements can strongly influence chemical properties. The next heavy element targeted for chemical characterization is element 112; its closed-shell electronic structure with a filled outer s orbital suggests that it may be particularly susceptible to strong deviations from the chemical property trends expected within group 12. Indeed, first experiments concluded that element 112 does not behave like its lighter homologue mercury. However, the production and identification methods used cast doubt on the validity of this result. Here we report a more reliable chemical characterization of element 112, involving the production of two atoms of 283112 through the alpha decay of the short-lived 287114 (which itself forms in the nuclear fusion reaction of 48Ca with 242Pu) and the adsorption of the two atoms on a gold surface. By directly comparing the adsorption characteristics of 283112 to that of mercury and the noble gas radon, we find that element 112 is very volatile and, unlike radon, reveals a metallic interaction with the gold surface. These adsorption characteristics establish element 112 as a typical element of group 12, and its successful production unambiguously establishes the approach to the island of stability of superheavy elements through 48Ca-induced nuclear fusion reactions with actinides.

Indication for a volatile element 114

Abstract Recently, the chemical investigation of element 112 revealed a highly volatile, noble metallic behaviour, as expected for the last group 12 member of the periodic table. The observed volatility and chemical inertness were ascribed to the growing influence of relativistic effects on the chemical properties of the heaviest elements with increasing nuclear charge. Here, we report for the first time on gas phase chemical experiments aiming at a determination of element 114 properties. This element was investigated using its isotopes 287114 and 288114 produced in the nuclear fusion reactions of 48Ca with 242Pu and 244Pu, respectively. Identification of three atoms of element 114 in thermochromatography experiments and their deposition pattern on a gold surface indicates that this element is at least as volatile as simultaneously investigated elements Hg, At, and element 112. This behaviour is rather unexpected for a typical metal of group 14.

Adsorption interaction of astatine species with quartz and gold surfaces

Abstract The adsorption interaction of various astatine species with quartz and gold surfaces was investigated by gas chromatography methods. Due to variations of the redox potential of the carrier gas elemental astatine, astatine oxide and hypo-astatic acid have been produced. The identification of the astatine compounds is based on the analogy assumption to the gas phase chemistry of the closest homologues in group 17 of the periodic table, iodine and bromine. The deposition temperatures as well as enthalpies of adsorption have been determined for the astatine species. The enhancement of the metallic character within group 17 towards higher Z is clearly confirmed. Macroscopic properties (sublimation enthalpy) of previously unstudied AtO2 and HAtO were estimated. The determined data for elemental astatine were compared to available literature data. Based on the obtained experimental results possible designs of experiments for studying of chemical properties of the recently discovered element 117 can be suggested.

Detecting system of the setup for studying chemical properties of superheavy elements using the gas chemistry techniques

A setup for studying the physicochemical properties of superheavy elements in experiments involving gas transport systems is described. The setup is composed of four detecting modules with semiconductor detectors; systems of data acquisition, storage, and processing; a cooling system for semiconductor detectors; and a vacuum system. In each detecting module, there are two oppositely located four-strip semiconductor detectors. The detecting system is capable of detecting with a high efficiency α particles and spontaneous fission fragments produced in decays of superheavy elements.

Relatively Long‐Lived Dubnium Isotopes and Chemical Identification of Superheavy Elements

The present study has been performed within the framework of experiments aimed at the investigation of chemical properties of long‐lived Db isotopes in aqueous solutions. The isocratic anion exchange separations of group V elements in the solutions containing HF have been considered. Parameters of separation of dubnium homologues (Pa, Nb and Ta) in HF/HNO3 mixed solutions have been optimized. The procedure of separation of group V elements from multicomponent system has been suggested.

Attempt to produce the isotopes of element 108 in the fusion reaction {sup 136}Xe+{sup 136}Xe

A setup of the experiment on the production of the isotopes with Z=108 in the fusion reaction {sup 136}Xe+{sup 136}Xe and the obtained results are presented. At the excitation energy 0{<=}E{sub x}{<=}30 MeV of the {sup 272}Hs* compound nucleus the upper limit of the cross section for evaporation residues {sigma}{sub (1-3)n}{<=}4 pb has been measured. The experimental results together with the data from asymmetric reactions point to a strong limitation of the Hs compound nucleus formation with increasing Coulomb forces in the entrance channel of the reaction.

Confirmation Of Super Heavy Element Production In 48Ca Induced Fusion Reactions A Handshake Of Physics And Chemistry For Element 112

The production of 283112 in 48Ca induced nuclear reactions was investigated using physical and chemical separation techniques. In the reaction 48Ca on 238U, four events were registered at the SHIP velocity filter. The mean atomic mass of the evaporation residues (EVR)