Unit - 1 Lesson - 1
Unit - 1 Lesson - 1
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UNIT 1 LESSON 1 CONTENTS 1.0 1.1 1.2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES INTRODUCTION INORGANIC RINGS CHAINS CAGES 1.2.1 HETERO CATENATIONS 1.2.2 ISOPOLY AND HETEROPOLY ANOINS 1.2.3 CAGES 1.3 1.4 1.5 Let us Sum Up Points for Discussion
References
1.0
The aims and objectives of this lesson are to learn and to discuss the structural features of different types of inorganic chains and cage structures.
1.1
INTRODUCTION
S o m e n o n - metals have
the
tendency
to
resemble
carbon
in
certain
properties. This chapter discusses one such property of nonmetals. Nonmetals other than carbon have also the tendency to form chains, rings and cages. Most metals show less tendency to form compounds of this type, length of the chains and size of the rings thus formed are and the
restricted.
However, the ease with which both metals and nonmetals and combinations of the two form clusters has only been recognized in the last decade. This branch of chemistry has seen a rapid growth.
Carbon has the tendency to form extensive stable chains and hence we study the organic chemistry, as a separate branch. This phenomenon is not common in the remainder of the periodic table. Silicon and related nonmetals
thermodynamic barrier to the formation of long chain silanes, Si( n ) H ( 2 n + 2 ) . Their synthesis ad characterizations are difficult tasks. Si Si bonds are weaker than C- C bonds. Silanes are very highly reactive. At 400o C , S i 2 H6 decomposes much faster than C2 H6 .
This to
is been A
kinetically isolated, of
branched- chain
compounds.
number
Polysilane polymers have been isolated. The chemistry of germanes is similar t o s i l a nes. Nitrogen, phosphorous and Sulphur form chains. Chain length up to 8 atoms of nitrogen are known. They are highly explosive. In the case of sulphanes, chains up to 8 sulphur atoms have been obtained. P2 H6 is well known P 3 H5 is well characterized. (perfluoroalkyl) trioxides such as Oxygen forms no chains longer than three a t o m s , O 3 and its anion O3 and a few compounds are known, for e.g., bis F3 C000C F3 . Allotropes of both 'S' and (Cyclic). The chain form of 'Se' is
'Se', are known in which helical chains of great length are present. Sulphur chains are instable with respect to S8
stable. Red 'P' is polymeric and is thought to have chains of pyramidal 'P' atoms. Polyhalide ions are stable, for e.g., I 3 .
The atoms of
phenomenon different
of hetero catenation or chains built up of alternating elements, is are well known. Silicons, (R SiO) n a n d 2 those formed by
catenated
the dehydration of acids or their salts. Simple acid phosphate salts on heating give rise to pyrophosphates, may be given for as : e.g., The ; general it is formula known of as
(n+2)-
polyphosphate
(Pn O 3 n + 1 )
n=2,
diphosphate, n=3-
triphosphate
etc., 3 Na 5 P 3 O 1 0
melt/100l 5 Na 3 P O 4 + P4 O 1 0
condensed poly phosphates such as sodium triphosphates, are largely used as detergents.
Silicate Minerals
Silicon heterocatenated
forms anions.
a The
very
large
number make up
of of
compounds various
containing About
silicates
minerals.
three fourths of the earth crust is silicon and oxygen. The majority of silica te minerals are insoluble, because they have an infinite ionic structure and
because of the Si- O bond. Silicate structures have been solved by X- ray crystallographic methods:
i)
The electro negatively difference between 'Si' and 'O' is equal to 1.7. This suggests that the bonds are 50% ionic and 50% covalent.
ii)
The structure may be considered both by ionic and covalent methods. The radius ratio of Si+ 4 : O - 2 is 0.29, which suggests that 'Si' is four co ordinate. It is surrounded by four oxygen atoms at the corners of a tetrahedron. 'Si' in (Si O4 ) - 4 may be assumed to be SP3 and three 3P orbitals) and hence silicates are based hybridized on (si (3s O )- 4 4
tetrahedral units.
iii)
The SiO 4 tetrahedra may exists as discrete units or may polymerize into larger units by sharing corners, i.e., by sharing oxygen atoms.
iv)
The 'O' atoms are often close packed or nearly close packed. Close packed structures have tetrahedral and octahedral holes and metal ions can occupy either tetrahedral or octahedral sites depending on their size. Al 3 + can
replace either octahedral or tetrahedral site. Thus Al can replace either a metal in one of the holes or a silicon atom in the lattice. This is particularly important in the aluminosilicates.
5 Classification of Silicates
i)
Ortho Silicates: A wide variety of minerals contain discrete (SiO4 ) 4 tetrahedra. They have the general formula M2 ( S i O 4 ) (M=Be, Mg, Fe, Mn or Zn). M(SiO4 ) M - Zr. These silicates share no cormers.
I n Z n 2 SiO 4
'CN' of 4; Zn and Be occupy tetrahedral holes. In Mg2 S i O 4 , Mg has a CN of 6 and occupies octahedral holes. Zr SiO4 is a gem stone. Zr has a CN of 8. The structure is not close packed. The garnents are minerals with discrete tetrahedra; are used as red gem stones. Its formula is M 3 M 2 ( S i O 4 ) 3 M(II) = Mg, Ca or Fe (II); Me(III) may be Fe(III), Cr or Al. These are 8 coordinate.
ii)
Pyrosilicates
Two tetrahedral units are joined by sharing the 'O' at one corner and the unit is (Si2 O 7 ) ions. The name like pyrophosphates
6-
. This is the simplest of the condensed silicate comes from the similarity in structure with
pyro
Na4 P 2 O 7 .
Pyrosilicates
are
The co ordination number of the metal changes from 6 to 7 and then to 8, with increase in size of the metal. Structural studies show no
Cyclic Silicates
If
two
oxygen
atoms
per
tetrahedron
are
shared,
ring
structures
of
formula (Si O3 )n 2 n -
may be formed. Rings containing, three, four, six and Ca3 ( S i 3 O 9 ). The Si6 O 1 8 1 2 -
eight tetrahedral units are known. But those with three and six are the most. The cyclic ion Si3 O 9 6 occurs in wollastonite,
6 occurs in beryl, Be3 A l 2 ( S i 6 O 1 8 ). In beryl the Si6 O 1 8 units are aligned one found in
above the other, leaving channels. Na+ , L i + and Cs+ are commonly
these channels, and because of the channels the mineral is permeable to gases consisting of small atoms or molecules e.g., helium. Beryl and emerald are
gemstones. Beryl is found with granite and usually forms pale green crystals, w h i c h a r e six sided prisms. Emerald has the same formula as beryl, but it
Chains Silicates:
Pyroxenes are simple chain silicates. These are formed by the sharing of oxygen atoms on two corners of each tetrahedron, with other tetrahedra. This gives the formula (Si O3 ) n 2 n - . A large number of important minerals form chains, but there of are a variety in of different may vary structures and formed affect because the the arrangement tetrahedra space thus repeat
distance along the chain. The most common arrangement repeats after every second tetrahedron for e.g., in spodumene, Li Al [(Si O ) 2 ], enstatite 3 repeat of
three, and others are known with repeat units 4,5,6,7,9 and 12.
Double together by
chains shared
can
be
formed These
when
two are
simple
chains
are They
joined have
oxygens.
minerals
amphiboles.
different formulae, due to several ways of forming double chains, for e.g., [(Si 2 O 5 ) n 2 n - , [ ( S i 4 O 1 1 ) n 6 n - , [ ( S i 6 O 1 7 ) n 1 0 n - etc., Asbestos minerals are the best known amphiboles . These have the structural units (Si4 O 1 1 ) n 6 n - . Amphiboles always contain OH groups, which are attached to the metal ions. The Si- O bonds together in the by chains metal are strong present. and directional. and Adjacent amphiboles chains are held
ions
Pyroxenes
cleave
readily
parallel to the chains, forming fibres. For this reason, they are called fibrous minerals. The cleavage angles for pyroxenes Example are tremolite and amphiboles are different. and crocidolite Na2 F e 3
Ca2 M g 5 ( [ ( S i 4 O 1 1 ) 2 ] (OH) 2
Sheet Silicates
When SiO 4 units share three corners the structure formed is an infinite two dimensional sheet of empirical formula (Si2 O 5 ) n 2 n - within the Si- O s h e e t bonds are strong but much weaker forces hold each sheet to the next one. These sheets cleave into thin sheets. These consist of two or three layers joined together. Examples are
Clay
minerals
(Kaolinite)
consider the formation of a two layer structure. If a Si2 O 5 layer is placed along side a layer of Al(OH)3 , then many of the 'O' atoms will coincide. The 'OH' groups in Al(OH)3 can be removed and an electrically neutral two layer structure is formed. These double layers stacked parallel give the mineral kaolinite, which has the formula Al2 (OH) 4 ( S i 2 O 5 ). It is a white solid and formed by the decomposition of granite.
Three
Dimensional
Silicates
tetrahedron tridymite,
results
in
three etc.,). in
(quartz, three
cristobalite
contain
metal
but
dimensional
silicate
structures
which some of the Si + 4 ions are replaced by Al3 + , plus an additional metal
8 ion. This gives an infinite three dimensional lattice and the additional cations occupy holes in the laltice. The cations are usually the larger metal ions like K + , N a + , C a + 2 or Ba+ 2 . The smaller ions Fe 3 + , C r 3 + and Mn2 + common in chain and sheet silicates do not occur in three which are dimensional
silicates because the cavities in the lattice are too large. Replacement of one quarter or one half of the 'Si' atoms are quite M [ A l S i 3 O 8) minerals. and M[Al2 S i 2 O 8 ). Such common. These give structures, replacements gives rise to the
i) ii) iii)
Granite is made up of feldspars. We have orthoclase a) b) Orthoclase K[Al Si3 O 8 ) Celsian Ba[Al 2 Si 2 O 8 ) Clase: Albite Na[Al Si3 O 8 ] Anorthite Ca [Al2 S i 2 O 8 ].
feldspars:
Plagio a) b)
The ortho clases are more symmetrical than are Plagio Clases. K+ a n d B a 2 + are just the right size to fit into the lattice while Na+ & Ca2 + cause distortion. being smaller,
Zeolites:
Zeolites
have
much
more
open
structure,
than
the
feldspars.
The
anion skeleton is penetrated by channels, giving a honeycomb like structure. These channels are large enough to allow them to exchange certain ions. They can also absorb or lose water, and other small molecules without the structure being broken. Zeolities are often used as ionexchange materials
9 from water and replace them by Na+ . Zeolites can absorb CO2 , N H 3 and Et OH, Zeolites have been employed to separate branched chain hydrocarbons from straight chain hydrocarbons.
The mineral lapis lazuli has a fine blue colour. It contains ultramarine Na8 [(Al Si O4 )6]S 2 , in which the colour is produced by the polysulphide ion. Ultra marines do not contain water.
The
ultramarines
1.2.2 ISOPOLY
AND
HETEROPOLYANIONS
Transition
metals
in
their
higher
oxidation
states
are
similar
to
nonmetals with corresponding group numbers. For e.g., V and P in VO3 - 4 a n d PO 3 - 4 , C r O 2 - 4 and SO2 - 4 , M n O 4 - and ClO4 - . The analogy may be extended to poly anions, such as Cr2 O 2 - 7 . P o l y m e n s a t i on of some metal anions occurs spontaneously, Cr 2 O 2 - 7 . When upon acidification. treated At low with P1+ CrO4 - is converted into sulphuric acid red Cr2 O 2 - 7 is concentrated
n Cr2 O 2
2+ nH + 7 (CrO 3 ) n +
n H2 O 2
The structure of CrO3 consists of infinite linear chains of Cr O4 tetrahedra. The vanadate ion, VO3 - 4 c o n c e n t r a t e d ( V 2 O 7 )4 polymerization anions have of been vanadate, exists in extremely basic
+
solution.
Under
dilution
and low pH, protonation yields monomers (VO 2 ). When solutions are more and higher vanadates and In tungstates the are ions obtained. forming The molybdate studied. iso poly the
extensively
condensation
process,
coordination number changes from 4 to 6 and the basic building block in the polymerization surrounding process metal becomes atom. The an octahedron resulting of six may oxygen link atoms, by
each
octahedra
either
10 repulsion, in the larger octahedra. As a result, the structures tend to be small clusters of octahedra, in the discrete poly anions, culminatin g in infinite
structures in the oxides. When the edge sharing occurs, the structure may be stabilized, if some distortion occurs such that the metal ions move away from each other. It might be expected that the smaller the metal ion, the less the repulsion and the larger the number of edge sharing octahedra per unit. This is found to be true V5 + (68pm), Mo6 + (73pm), W6 + (74 pm), Nb5 + (78pm) Ta5 + (78pm) and the most common edge shared poly anions are, (V 0 O 2 8 ) 6 - , 1 (Mo 7 O 2 4 ) 6 - , (Mo 8 O 2 6 ) 4 - ( W 6 O 1 9 ) 2 - , ( W 7 O 2 4 ) 6 - , ( N b 6 O 1 9 ) 8 - and (Ta6 O 1 9 ) 8 - . To form larger polyanions such as (W12 O 4 2 ) 1 2 apex sharing. edge sharing must give to rise to
The isopoly an ions may be considered to be portions of a closest packed array of oxide ions with metal ions occupying the oc t a h e d r a h o l e s . The edge sharing This with represent is array the found largest in (V1 0 O stacked
28) 6-
consists
of
ten
isopoly remaining
anion edge
metal- metal
repulsions,
Elements other than V, Nb, Ta, Mo and W do not form isopoly anions. Al 3 + , G a 3 + , I 7 + may have appropriate radii for isopoly anion formation. But they form, sheets or three dimensional frame works. The reason given is as follows. The terminal oxygen atom in the isopoly anion is strongly b o n d e d
to a transition metal such as Mo(VI) or W(VI). The metal ion is displaced in the direction of the terminal oxygen; due to this effect. Metal ions such as Al 3 + and Ga3 + a r e poor acceptors. Thus their terminal oxygen atoms are not stabilized, and this leads to chain structures. Due to bonding the terminal
oxygen atoms of the transition metal polyanions are stabilized and have less affinity for adjacent metal units.
In aprotic media, new poly anions have been obtained for e.g., When [(n- Bu) 4 N] OH and [(n- Bu) 4 N ] [ H 3 V 1 0 O 2 8 ] are mixed in acetonitrile, a new isopoly vanadate, [V5 O 1 4 ] 3 - is formed. It is the first example of a poly
11 oxoanion cage that is built from corner shared tetrahedra. When [n Bu 4 N] [H 2 V1 0 O 2 8 ] is refluxed in acetonitrile, CH3 CN is found to be suspended in a (V 1 2 O 3 2 ) - 4 basket. Heteropolyanions
It has been found that there is a cavity in the center of a metatungstate ion. This cavity is surrounded by a tetrahedron of four oxygen atoms. This cavity is sufficiently large to accommodate a relatively small atom like P(v), As(V), Si (IV), Ge(IV), Sn (IV) or Zr (IV). The 12- tungs to heteropoly anions are of general formula [Xn + W 1 2 O 4 0 ] ( 8 - n ) are also known. For e.g., when a molybdate is similar solution molybdo heteropoly anions and
containing
phosphate
broken in this process. The product anion contains the PO3 - 4 in the MO1 2 O 3 6 cage. Between 35 and 40 hetero atoms are known to form heteropoly anions and their corresponding acids. Large hetero atoms such as Ce (IV) and Th (IV) are found icosahedrally coordinated in salts such as (NH4 ) 2 H6 Ce Mo1 2 O 4 2 . It is unique in as much as pairs of MoO6 octahedra share faces to form Mo 2 O
9
groups
which
are
corner
connected
to
each
other
molybdo
heteropoly acids form with hetero atoms Te(VI), I(VII) and tri p o s i t i v e m e t a l ions such as Rh(III). All these heteroatoms prefer an octahedral coordination sphere, which can be provided by a ring of six Mo O 6 octahedral. The isopoly
and heteropoly anions may be considered small chunks of metal oxide lattice. F o r s e l e ctive oxidation of organic molecules, these may be used as catalysts. As anions they show very low surface charge densities and low basicities. Hence molybdate
6-
phosphate
(- 3)
ion
have
lower
C o in [(Si W1 1 O 3 9 ) Co (H2 O)] 6 - is 6 coordinate, the heteropoly anion functions as a pentadentate ligand. (W6 O 1 9 ) 2 for has been studied using O1 7
N M R s p e c troscopy. The spectm gives three signals corresponding to twelve bridging oxygen atoms, one signal encapsulated oxygen and one for
terminal oxygens.
12 Fig.1.2(a) Mutterties, York, and E.L. (b) The Bonding and structure of and tetraborane, Its B4H10. Wiley: (From New
Chemistry with
of Boron
compound;
1967.
Reproduced
permission.]
1.2.3 CAGES
The bonding and structures of boranes are of great interest. They are different from all other hydrides. These compounds are electron deficient.
D i b o r a n e ( B 2 H6 ) h a s 12 valency electrons (3 from B and 6 from H atoms). Electron diffraction studies indicate that the compound has B- H- B b r i d g e s . The two bridging H- atoms are in a plane perpendicular to the rest of the molecule, and prevent rotation between the two 'B' atoms. Specific heat
measurements confirm that the rotation is hindered. Four of the H- a t o m s a r e in a different environment than the other two. This is confirmed by Raman spectra and by the fact that diborane cannot be methylated beyond Me4 B 2 H2 , without breaking the molecule into B Me3 . The terminal B- H d i s t a n c e s are the same. These are assumed to be normal covelant bonds. These are (2C2e) two centre- two electron bonds. The structure is shoen in fig 1. Each of the bridging B- H- B linkages then involves a delocalised Each 'B' is SP3 hybridised. three centre bonds.
The appropriate combinations of three orbital wave functions, j B1 , j B2 ( S P 3 hybrid (M O ) orbitals) and j H ('s' orbitals), give rise to three molecular orbitals
13
1 Yb = 2 1 Yn = 2 j B1 j B1 +
1 j B2 2 1 j B2 2 +
1 jH 2
1 Ya = 2 j B1 +
1 j B2 2 +
1 jH 2
Yb= bonding Mo, Y a = antibonding MO and Y n = nonbonding. Each bridging bond thus consists of a bonding Mo containing two electrons. Thus all the twelve electrons in B2 H 6 qualitative description
14
have been accounted for fig,1.1(a) and (b) give atomic orbitals and three
10
of
centre is
Mo by
orbitals slow
formed
and unsymmetric cleavage. Fig 1.2(a) and (b). Fig 1.3 gives bonding and structure of B4 H1 0 . Larger bases spit off BH3 groups: B4 H 1 0 + 2 Me3 N BH 2 + Me 3 N B 3 H 7 + Me3 N BH3 .
14 B4 H 1 0 + 2 NH3 [H 2 B(NH 3 ) 2 ]
+
+ [B3 H 8 ] -
Fig 1.2 Symmetric (a) and Unsymmetric (b) Cleavage of Tetraborane [B 1 2 H1 2 ] 2 - is a highly symmetric borohydride. It is obtained from B3 H8 - ion. 5[B 3 H8 ] [B 1 2 H1 2 ] 2 - + 3[BH4 ]- + 8H2
T h e [ B 1 2 H 1 2 ] 2 - is a regular icosahedron of atoms, each of the twenty faces being an equilateral triangle. All of the H atoms are external t the o bonds. The structure boron icosahedron and are attached by terminal B- H involves several
canonical forms. Both two electron, two centre B B a n d fragments of a B1 2 icosahedron (or of the [B1 2 H1 2 ] 2 - ion) in
two electron, three centre B- B- B bondings are involved. Several boranes may be considered as
15 which extra hydrogen atoms are used to "sew up" the unused valences around the edge of the fragment. For e.g., decaborane (B10 H1 4 ), may be considered as a B1 2 H 1 2 frame work from which B1 and B6 have been "dangling" three centre f o r m B - H- B bridges. (B6 H1 0 (hexaborane) is a removed, leaving bonds that are completed with hydrogen atoms to pentagonal prism.
Experimental work has shown that the icosahedrons of [B1 2 H 1 2 ] 2 - is merely the upper limit of a series of deltahedra (Bn Hn)2 - (from n=4 to n=12). If all the vertices of the deltahedron are occupied, as in the [BnHn]2 series, the
structure is called a 'closo' (closed structure). The number of vertices in the deltahedron framework. will This be one is less than the 'wades number rules'. of For bonding the pairs in the the
theory
called
closo
series
number of frame work electrons equals 2n+2. Consider (B1 2 H 1 2 ) 2 - to count framework electrons. Each 'B' has one of its valence electrons tied up with the 'exo' B- 4 bond and it has thus two to contribute to the framework, giving a total of 2n (in this case 24 electrons) from the 'B' atoms. No neutral Bn Hn species are known, but an array of dianions, obeying the 2n+2 are known.
The 26 electrons (2 x 12 + 2) are just the number required to fill all the bonding molecular orbitals in [B1 2 H 1 2 ) 2 - and this corresponds to 13 (n+1,
n=12) electron pairs as expected for an icosahedrons. If a B atom is removed from a vertex of the closo structure, a cup- like or nest like structure remains. Such structures are called 'nido' (nest). The nido structures obey the
framework formula 2n+4. Consider B5 H9 . Five exo B- H groups will contribute two electrons each, and the four extra 'H' atoms will contribute 4 electrons and thus the total will be 10+4=14 electrons (2n+4, n=5). This corresponds to 7 pairs (n+2) and the geometry will be derived from an octahedron (n- 1 vertices). The structure is thus a square pyramid nido form derived from the closo octahedron. If two vertices are missing, the resulting framework is called "arachno" (spiders web). these
obey the formula 2n+6 (n+3 electron pair). B5 H 1 1 (ponta borane) has arachno structure. In arachno series the extra H atoms form endo B- H bonds. In hypho (net) series the rule is 2n+8. Some borane derivatives, fit it into this scheme. For a regular deltahedron having 'n' vertices there will be n+1 bonding
16 molecular orbitals. The number of electrons that can occupy these Mos will be 2n+2. This gives the highly symmetric closo structure.
The
systems
C2 B1 0 H1 2
is
isoelectronic
with
B1 0 H 1 4 + R- C X C - R
R2 C 2 B 1 0 H1 0 + 2H2
The acetylene may be unsubstituted or substituted, in which case, the compound is known as 1,2 dicarba- closo- dodeca borane or orthocarborane and is isoelectronic and iso structural with [B1 2 H 1 2 ) 2 - . It is stable to both heat and air, but it isomerises at high temperatures to the 1,7 (meta or 'neo' isomer) and the 1,12 (Para isomer). The mono carboranes are known in closo, nido and arachno structures. Thus closo C 2 B 9 H1 1 + 2e [nido C 2 B 9 H1 1 ] 2 [nido C 2 B 9 H1 1 ) 2 [closo C 2 B 9 H 1 1 ) + 2e
In the anion [C2 B 9 H 1 1 ] 2 - , each of the three 'B' atoms and the two carbon atoms on the open face of the cage directs an orbital (SP3 ) toward the apical position occupied formerly by the 12th boron atom. Further these
Hence C 5 H5 -
this
anion This be
[C2 anion of
B9 could
has
resemblence isoelectronic in
to with
considered aP ligand
capable succeeded
acting
metallocene
compounds.
Hawthorne
in
synthesizing
metalla
carboranes.
2[C 2 B 9 H 1 1 ] 2 - + Fecl 2
[(C 2 B 9 H1 1 ) 2 F e ] 2 - + 2cl-
1) b)
What
is
heterocatenation?
2)
Self
Check
Exercise 2
1) 2) 3)
Discuss the structures of molybdates and tungstates Elucidate the structure of diborane Discuss in detail the structures of boranes and explain the terms, closo, nido and arachno with examples.
1.3 Let us Sum Up Heterocatenations, structures are like heteropoly and isopoly anions and their
tetrahdra could form different types of structure sare indicated. Boron cage compounds, wades rules and cloro nido and arachno spieces are also described.
1.4 Points
for
Discussions
i) ii) iii)
Silicates ad their structures Isopoly and heteropoly Closo nido anions structures and uses & arachno species the different formulae as
Boranes
1.5 References
Concise
Inorganic
chemistry
edition J . D . L e e B l a c k w e l l .
Publishing N o i d a - D e l h i 2 0 0 5 .
18
LESSON 2
CONTENTS
2.0 2.1 2.2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES INTRODUCTION METAL CLUSTERS 2.2.1 TYPES OF METAL CLUSTERS 2.2.2 ORGANOMETALLIC CLUSTERS 2.3 2.4 2.5 Let us Sum Up Points for Discussion
References
2.0
The aims and objectives of this lesson are to learn about the different types of metal clusters and their structures.
2.1
INTRODUCTION
Compounds
containing
metal- metal
bonds
are
as
old
as
chemistry
itself. Calomel was known to chemists of India as early as 12th century. The dimeric nature of mercurous ion was confirmed only later. It was only some 30- 35 years ago that the study of other metal- metal bonds began in earnest; yet this branch of inorganic chemistry has grown at a phenomenal rate.
compounds
can
be
conveniently
classified
into
two
carbonyls,
nitrosyls
and
related
compounds
The second class will be discussed here. The two classes have un related chemistry. Metal atoms in class.
The transition metals (late transition metals) typically form class i) Clusters, while those on the right side of the periodic table ( e a r l y
second and third row transition metals) tend to form class II clusters. Atoms having large energies of atomization (hence very high m- pts and b- p t s ) f o r m metal clusters. Thus the most refractory metals (Zr, Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Hf, Ta, W, Os, Ir and Pt) have the greatest tendency to form metal clusters. Effective clusters. overlap Excessive of d- orbitals of appears the 'd' necessary orbitals will for stabilizing the metal metal
contraction
destabilize
clusters. Hence large charges (very high oxidation states) on the metal atoms are unfavourable for the formation of metal clusters. In first row transition metals, the 'd' orbitals are relatively small and metal cluster formation is not favoured.
i)
Dinuclear Compounds
The best studied compound is (Re2 x 8)2 - ion; obtained by reducing Hx Perrhenate with H3 Po 2 in the presence of x= cl, Br, I, NCS.
x-
2 ReO4 H3 Po 2
(Re 2 x 8)2 - ;
It has two unusual features. Re- Re bond distance is 224pm compared with an average of 275pm in rhenium metal, and 248pm in Re3 Cl 9 . T h e unexpected features in this ion is the eclipsed configuration of the chlorine atoms. But chlorine atoms are expected to lie at distances of 330pm, i.e., the staggered configuration would be preferred. According to Cotton, the Z- axis
of the ion is taken a the line joining the two Re atoms. Each Re atom is bonded to four 'Cl' atoms in a square planar array. We may consider the Re Cl bonds to involve dSP2 hybrids on each metal (using dx2 - y2 orbitals). The m e t a l d Z 2 and PZ orbitals lie along the bond axis and may be hybridized to form one orbital directed toward the other rhenium atom and a second orbital
20 directed in the opposite direction. The former can overlap with the similar orbital on the second 'Re' atom to form a 's' bond, the second dZ2 - p z h y b r i d orbital forms an approximately a non- bonding orbital. The dxZ and dyz
overlap of the dxy orbitals can only occur if the chlorine atoms are eclipsed. If the chlorine atoms are staggered, the dxy orbitals do not overlap. The ei ht g d electrons (Re3 + , d 4 ) from two 'Re' atoms occupy s bonding (2), two P
bonds (4) and delta bond (2) ing orbitals to from the quadruple bond; hence the complex is diamagnetic. The model accounts for the strength of the bond, the short Re- Re distance and the eclipsed configuration. (Mo2 C l 8 ) 2 - is known. Both Re (III) and Mo(III) form
The
isoelectronic
a large series of carboxylate complexes of formula Re2 (RCo 2 ) 2 x 4 etc, and Mo 2 ( R C O 2 ) 4 . Structurally these are related to (Re2 x 8 ) 2 - . [Re 2 C l 8 ] 2 - (having qudruple bond) has all its bonding Mos filled up i.e s 2 P 4 d 2 (bond order = 4). d and d * are nearly non- bonding.
(R=Me, Et),
with a W=W double bond. These ditungsten compounds have bond orders 4, 3, 2 and 1 Cu(II) and Cr (II) in the 1st transition complexes. weak single These bond are diamagnetic. from series form acetate
Cu- Cu bond in Cu (II) acetate is only a pairing the odd electron in each copper
resulting
a t o m . C r- Cr bond in its acetate complex, is stronger than Cu- Cu bond. Cr C r d istance is shorter in the complex than in the metal. These suggest that the Cr complex has a qudruple bonds (weak). But the lengths of the qudruple bonds in Mo- Mo and W- W are uniform.
(RO) 6 M2 e.g. W2 ( O R )
(s 2 P 4 ). This undergoes addition reactions with halogens (Cl2 , B r 2 , I 2 ) . W 2 (O- I- Pr) 6 dimerises to W4 (o- i- Pr) 1 2 analogous to cyclobutadiene a
fluxional molecule.
21
Trinuclear Clusters:
[(ReCl 3 ) 3 contains three metal atoms. Each rhenium atom is bonded to other two 'Re' atoms ligand. directly In by metal- metal each, bonds, and indirectly in the by a binding array is halogen addition rhenium atom triangular
coordinated by two more halide ligands above and below the plane
defined by the three rhenium atoms. Each Re (III) has d4 configuration which would lead to a paramagnetic complex, if only metal- metal single bonds were present. The complexes are diamagnetic, however which implies that each Re
atom is doubly bonded to its Re neighbour. Re3 cluster is persistent in many chemical transformations.
W 4 (OR) 1 2 is a tetra nuclear cluster which is formed by the dimerisation o f W 2 (OR) 6 . is saturated, The tetrameri c W 4 (OR) 1 6 has also been synthesised. containing W- W single bonds. Qudruply bonded W4 (OR) 16 dinuclear
(R 3 P) 2K 4 Mo 2 cl 8 Four ring member is not Mo 4 ( R 3 P) 4 c l 8 + Kcl. The resulting four membered indicate, that there are
alternating
single
( r h o m b o h e d r a l M o 4 ),
connected
atoms
Hexa
Nuclear
Clusters
Clusters of six, Mo, Nb or Ta atoms are known. There are two types. In the first an octahedron of six metal atoms is coordinated by eight chloride
dichloride", Mo 6 , C l 1 2 , better formulated as [Mo6 cl 8 ] C l 4 . Each Mo (II) atom can use its four electrons to form four bonds with adjacent Mo atoms and can form dative bonds from the four chlide ligands (Mo2 c l 8 ) have a cubicarrangement of chloride ions, Nb and
4-
4-
Ta
hexanuclear
clusters. These have octahedron of metal atoms, but they are coordinated by twelve halide ligands, along the edges. The structures are complicated. The metal atoms are surrounded by a distorted square prism of four metal and four helogen atoms. These compounds are electron deficient (as boranes) there are fewer pairs of electrons than orbitals to receive than orbitals and so fractional bond orders of 2 / 3 are obtained. Che v r e l P h a s e s
chalcogenides, clusters
Mx
Mo6 x unusual
8,
are
called
chevrel have
having
structures.
Thes
interesting electrical and magnetic properties Pb Mo6 S 8 is a super conductor below 13.3k. This has a octahedral cluster of Mo atoms, surrounded by a cubic cluster of S atoms, which in turn is currounded by a cubic lattice of lead atoms.
2.2.2 Organoi
Metallic
Clusters
complexes
of the
of these cages or clusters can be predicted by 'Wades' rules' (Closo, nido or arachno) using 2n+2, 2n+4 and 2n+6 formulae.
Consider
the
Molecule:
B 3 H 7 [ F e ( C o ) 3 ] 2 , for which n=5. The three BH units Fe(Co) 3 units contribute 2 electrons each and the four contribute 1 electron each (total 14 electrons).
and extra
the H
two atoms
23 2 Fe (Co)3 3 BH 4H = = = 2 x 2 = 4 3 x 2 = 6 4 x 1 = 4 14
Since n=5, there are 2n+4 frame work electrons and We predict a nido structure for the same. Molecule has a square pyramidal structure. This
results from the substitution of 2 BH units by 2Fe (Co)3 units in B5 H9 . C o n s i d e r R h 6 (Co) 6 : n=6. Each of the six Rh(Co)2 contributes 'I'
6 Rh (Co)2 = 4 Co =
6 x 1 = 6 4 x 2 = 8 14
We have 14 framework electrons in 2n+2 formula (n=6; 2 x 6+2=14). Hence the complex has a close structure. There are two terminal CO group s per 'Rh' and four bridging 'CO' groups. Which span alternate triangular faces [p- (cymene) 3 - R m 3 S 2 ] 2 + has 48e- s closo structure. This can be reduced to a nido structure (50e- s).
Self
Check
Exercise 1
1.
What are closo, nido and arachno structures? and explain wade's mles with examples.
2.
1)
Show
how
wades
mles
can
be
applied
to
organo
metallic
clusters.
2.3 Let us Sum Up Motal clusters of different types such as tetra nuclear and polynuclear structures are discussed in detail. The application of wades rules to metal clusters is indicated organo metallic clusters such as Rh6 (CO) 6 and the application of 2n+2 rule is also discussed.
1. 2. 3.
Metal clusters types and structures Wade's mles Organo metallic clusters.
2.5 References:
1. 2.
Concise
Inorganic
CONTENTS 3.0 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 3.1 3.2 INTRODUCTION BORAZINES 3.2.1 SYNTHESIS OF BORAZINES
3.2.2 STRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF BORAZINES 3.3 PHOSPHONITRIC COMPOUNDS 3.3.1 SYNTHESIS OF PHOSPHAZENES 3.3.2 STRUCTURAL STUDIES 3.3.3 PHOSPHAZENE POLYMERS 3.4 3.5 3.6 Let us Sum Up Points for Discussion
References
3.0
In
this
Lesson are
the
Synthesis The
of
Borazines of
and
the and
synthesis
of
phosphazenes
discussed.
structures
borazines
phosphazenes
are also discussed. After structure systems. Understand the 'd' orbital participation in the phosphozenes structure. of going through and this lesson you should with able to and compare other the ring
Borazines
Phosphazenes
benzene
Develop interest in doing research in the fields of Phosphazenes and their applications.
3.1
INTRODUCTION The most important ring system of organic chemistry is the benzene
ring,
either
as
separate
entity
or
in
polynuclear
hydrocarbons
such
as
26 naphthalene, analogues of anthracene benzene and B3 N 3 R6 phenanthrene. and trimeric Inorganic chemistry has two
cyclop h o s p h a z e n e c o m p o u n d s ,
P 3 N 3 X6 . Alfred Stock synthesised borazine early in this century. He was the first to study compounds such as boranes, silanes and other similar nonmetal compounds. He perfected vacuum line techniques for the handling of air and moisture sensitive compounds invaluable to the modern inorganic chemist.
3.2
synthesized
3 (BH 2 ( N H 3 ) 2 ) ( B H 4 ) D 2 B3 N 3 H6 +12H 2
- (1)
More efficient of syntheses are: NaBH4 NH 4 Cl + Bcl3 NH 4 Cl + NaBH4 Cl3 B 3 N 3 H 3 B3 N 3 H6 +H 2 + NaCl B3 N 3 H6 (2) (3)
27 N or B substituted borazines may be made by appropriate substitution on the starting materials prior to the synthesis of the ring NaBH4 (R NH 3 ) cl + BCl3 Cl 3 B3 N 3 R3 +3LiR' Borazine Physical properties is isoelectronic of properties of Cl3 B 3 N 3 R 3 H3 B3 N 3 R3 (4) or substitution after the ring has formed R3 ' B3 N 3 R 3 + 3LiCl with benzene, and as B=N is are with C=C borazine benzene of similar. and - (5) (Fig 1.1).
The
physical
alkyl- substituted
derivatives
benzene
borazine a r e
remarkably similar. For example the ratio of the absolute boiling points of the substituted This borazines similarity to led those to a of similarly of substituted borazine properties as of benzene is
constant.
labeling the
"Inorganic borazine
chemical
3.2.2 STRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF BORAZINE In both benzene and borazine the P electrons are delocalized over all
of the ring atoms. Because of the electro negativity difference between Boron and Nitrogen, more electron density is located on the nitrogen atoms. Due to this partial localization, the P b o n ding is weakened in the ring. Each
nitrogen
receives
The net effect is that the charge density on the nitrogen i n c r e a s e s . Besides nitrogen retains its basicity and boron its acidity. Borazine is more reactive undergo than benzene and undergoes addition reactions. Benzene does not
addition
reaction
HC'l, B 3 N 3 H6 + 3H X C6H6+Hcl
no reaction.
28 One can compare the reactions of borazine and benzene with bromine.
It is of interest to note that borazine resembles benzene in forming arene metal complexes, thus the hexa methyl borazine complex- B 3 N 3
(CH 3 ) 6 Cr (CO)3 has been reported and closely resembles, C6 (CH 3 ) 6 C r ( C O ) 3 but is thermally less stable.
The ring metal dissociation energy of the borazine complex is about one half that of the arene complex.
Note: Please do not proceed unless you attempt the question, and write your answer in the space below. 1. How are the following systhesised? (a) benzene. Borazine analogues of naphthalene and related hydrocarbons have been made by pyrolyzing borazine or by passing it through a silent discharge. Related four membered ceramics which rings has is R2 B2 M 2 R2 1 a n d R 4 B4 M 4 R4 1 been synthesized and from polymarised decomposed are also known Borazine and benzene (b) Bromo Derivatives of borazine and
b o r o n n i t r i de
borazine to
(CH 2 = C H ) B 3 N 3 H5 , nitride
Benzene may be hydrogenated to give cyclohexane. But hydrogenation of borazine results in polymeric materials of indefinite composition.
Cycloborazine B 3 N 3 H1 2 is obtained by the reduction of the chloro derivative. 6NaBH4 2 B 3 N 3 H6 +6Hcl 2cl3 B3 N 3 H9 2B3 N 3 H1 2 + 3 B 2 H6 +6Nacl - 10) Boraxine, H 3 B3 O 3 is isoelectronic with borazine. (Prepared by the explosive oxidation of B2 H6 ). Boraxine is planar and has even less P d e l o c a l i z a t i o n than borazine B3 P 3 (Ph) 3 has also been prepared 'B' and 'P' have similar
electro negativities compared to B and N and therefore polarization is less extensive in this compound than borazine and is considerably aromatic.
Compare the properties of borazine and benzene, on the basis of their structures.
(b)
How would B3 P 3 ( P h ) 3 react with Br2 ? Please do not proceed till you attempt the above questions. The space below in for your answer.
3.3
PHOSPHO
NITRILIC OF
COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHAZENES are cyclic or atoms chain with compounds two that on contain each
nitrogen
substituents
phosphorus atom. The three main structural types are cyclic trimer (Fig 1.2), cyclic tetramer (Fig 1.3) and the oligomer or high polymer (Fig 1.4). A few cyclic pentamers and hexamers are also known. The alternating single and double bouds in the figures are written for convenience but should not be taken literally.
Hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (NPCl 2 ) 3 , is a key intermediate in the synthesis of many other phosphazenes and is manufactured commercially on
31
This reaction produces a mixture of (NPcl2 )n species with n = 3,4,5 and low polymeric linear species. Favorable conditions give 90% yields of the n=3 or 4 species, which can be separated easily.
undergoes to give
substitution fully or
reactions partially
with
groups
substituted
(NP cl 2 ) 3 + 6Na OR (NP cl 2 ) 3 + 6Na SCN (NP F2) 3 + 6Ph Li The mechanisms of these
- 12)
fully
understood,
but
in
general they appear to involve SN2 attack on 'P' by an anion. Bromo compounds may be prepared in the same manner.
NH4 B r P Br5 Excess Br 2 The fluoride may be prepared indirectly by fluorination of the chloride. (NPCl 2 ) 3 + 6 NaF (NPF2 ) 3 + 6Nacl ( 1 6 ) (N PBr2 ) 3 (15)
Self 1. 2.
Check
Exercise 3
How are different types of phosphazenes syntherised? Why excess bromine is added in reaction (15) Please do not proceed till you attempt the above questions.
32
3.3.2 STRUCTURE STUDIES The angles are halide trimers consist with of SP
2
planar
six
membered of the
rings.
The
bond and
consistent
hybridization
nitrogen
approximately SP 3 hybridization of the phosphorous. Two of the SP2 o r b i t a l of third nitrogen, containing one electron each, are used for 's' bonding and the contains a lone pair of electron. This leaves one electron for the
unhybridised P Z orbital. The four SP3 hybrid orbital (containing four electrons) of phosphorous leaving a fifth electron to occupy a 'd' orbital.
Resonance structures can be drawn like benzene ring indicating aromaticity (Fig 1.5a). The Planarity of the ring, the equal P- N bond distances and shortness of the P- N b o n ds, and the stability of the compounds the
suggest
delocalisation. All phosphazenes are not planar. This does not make them less stable. Phosphazenes are much more difficult to reduce. Unlike in benzene IIbonding in cyclophosphazenes involves d and p orbitals Craig and Paddock suggested the following model. The dxz orbital of the phosphorous atom
overlaps with the pz orbital of the nitrogen atom adjacent to it (Fig 1.6a). As a result of the g symmetry of the d orbitals an inevitable mismatch in the signs of the wave functions occur on the trimer, resulting in a node which
reduces the stability of the dolocalished molecular orbital. The dyz orbital
33 which is perpendicular to the dxz, can also overlap with the p z orbital of
nitrogen, but in this case no nodal surface results (Fig 1.6b). There may be in plane P bonding between the sp2 non bonding orbital of nitrogen and the dxy and for dx2 y2 orbital of the phosphorous (fig 1.6c and 1.6d).
The structure of tetrameric phosphoazenes is more flexible than these of the trimers. The structure of (NPF2 ) 4 is planar, but others are found in a variety of conformations Inter d (tub, boat, chair, crown, saddle and structures in between). use of molecular forces play a major role in these structures. The removes the restrictions of the Huckel rule (4n+2) II
orbital
electrons
for aromaticity. Thus the model due to Craig predicts that the
1.(a) Discuse
the
structures
of
phosphazenes
on
the
basis
of
orbital
participation of the P atom. 1.(b) is delocalisation possible in the trimer? Please do no proceed till you attempt the above questions. The space below in for your answers.
34 3.3.3 PHOSPHAZENE POLYMERS Phosphozenes can be polymerized. Their polymers and have advantages However
o v e r c a r b o n - b a s e d p o l y m e rs
polyolefins
polyesters.
commercial application is not well developed as silicones (R2 SiO) n . Trimericchloro phosphazenes can be polymerized thermally.
D (NPcl 2 )3
cl p = N cl n --(17)
-----
(18) (19)
various
elastomers, Plastics, films and fibres have been obtained. They are fle x i b l e a t low temperatures and water and fire resistant. Some R groups like R=CH2 CF 3 in OR group in the above reactions are water repellant and do not interact with living and promise to be useful in fabrications of artificial blood vessels and prosthetic devices.
Self
Check
exercise 5
1. How are phosphazene polymers obtained? Indicate their uses. Space for answers
3.4 Let us Sum Up (i) The synthesis of brazine is indicated. (ii) The planarity of benzene is compared with that of borazone. (iii) The synthesis of phosphazenes and their structures are discussed. (iv) The importance of dp - pp bonding in phosphazenes is discussed. (v) polymeric phosphazenes and their uses are also indicated.
35
3.5 Points for discussion. I (i) In the case of borazines compare its synthesis with benzene (ii)
Planarity of benzene ring to the compared with that of borazine (iii) Compare the properties especially using N. electronogativities of B and
II
(i) atom
In the case of Phosphazenes, the d orbital participation of P in forming dII- PII bonding decides its aromaticity (ii) The
3.6 References 1. Advanced Cotton Inorganic and Chemistry, A compre h e n s i v e T e x t - F , A l b e r t Limited New Delhi- 3 r d
G.Wilkinsonwiley
Eastern
Edition1972. 2. I n o r a g n i c C h e m i s t r y 4
th
Ed
James
E,
Huheey,
Ellen.
A.
Keiter
4.2.3 One
Dimentional
4.0 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES In this lesson the synthesis, of sulphur- nitrogen Syntheses of some derivatives of sulphur compounds and the
After studying this lesson you would be able to understand the bonding in S- N Compounds. Learn the application of S4 N 4 in forming (SN)x which
behaves like a super conductor. 4.1 INTRODUCTION Compounds which contain sulphur- nitrogen rings were known in t h e It is
last century, but many new ones have been prepared in the last decade. currently an area of considerable interest. 4.2 SULPHUR NITROGEN COMPOUNDS 4.2.1 Synthesis of S4 N 4 :
The ammonolysis of S2 cl 2 , either in solution or in an inert solvent or heated over solid ammonium chloride yields tetra- sulphur, tetra- nitride. NH 3 S2cl 2 S4 N 4 +S 8 + NH4 cl (1)
The product is a bright orange solid insoluble in water but soluble in some organic solvents. The crystals are reasonable stable to attack by air,
37 they are explosively sensitive to shock or friction. Reduction of S N 4 w i t h 4 metallic potassium or sodium oxide gives S3 N 3 Reduction tetraimide of S4 N 4 with with sulphur Sn (II) chloride (Fig 2.1a). produces tetrasulphur
isoelectronic
38 4.2.2 STRUCTURAL STUDIES OF S-N COMPOUNDS It is impossible to write a simple Lewis structure for S4 N 4 . A cage structure for S4 N 4 has been suggested. This structure contains two pairs of non- bonding sulphur atoms at a distance of about only 258pm, considerably shorter than the sum of the vanderwalls radii (360pm). All of the S- N b o n d distances electrons within and this the ring are approximately considerable The molecule equal (162pm) The and has 12 P S N2 4
indicates
delocalisation.
molecule
h a s h a l f - chair
conformation.
ring. It has 10II electrons instead of six (Fig 2.1b). Still the Huckel rule is obeyed (4n+2) rule and the system is expected to be aromatic. Four of the P electrons occupy antibonding orbitals.
nitrogen compounds have often unpredictable structures, for Ph SN =S=NSPh is considered to have resonan ce
compound
structures (Fig 2.2). This is based on the fact that the separation between end sulphur atoms is only 329pm (compared to vanderwals sum of 360pm).
4.2.3 ONE
DIMENSIONAL sulphur
Polymeric
nitride
39 Ag S4 N 4 S2 N 2
o
(SN) x . The
S4 N 4
is pumped in a
vacuum line over silver wool at 220 C, where it polymerize slowly to a lustrous golden material. It has a conductivity near that of mercury at room temperature and it becomes a super conductor at low temperatures below (O.26K). X- rays studies indicate that the SN chains have the structure shown in Fig (2.3a). This chain can be generated from adjacent square planar S N 2 2 molecules. 165.4pm, bonds. The S- N bonds in this starting material have a bond length of between single (174pm) and double (154 pm) SN -
intermediate
For
the
(SN)x
chain
many
resonance
can
be
drawn.
The
single structure (Fig 2.3 b) has single bond with nine electrons on each sulphur atom.
bond
resonance
system,
to form a half- filled conduction band in much the same way as half- f i l l e d 2 s orbitals on a mole of Lithium atoms, form a conduction band. This
conduction band lies only along the direction of the (SN)x fibres, the polymer is thus a one dimensional conductor.
40
Self
Check
Exercise 1
1. 2.
Give the synthesis of S4 N 4 and S3 N 3 . All of the S- N bond distances within the ring are equal and what does it indicate?
3.
How does (SN)x behave like a one dimensional conductor? Check exercise 1
S 4 N 4 is obtained from S2 cl 2 by ammonolysis. S- N bond distances P * h a l f - filled dimension. (162pm) are equal and it has 12- II electrons, obeys Huckel rule- aromatic.
3.
orbitals
overlap
forming
conduction
band
in
one
4.3 Let Us Sum Up The synthesis of S4 N 4 is discussed. The molecule S3N3 has a planar structure dimensional and obeys Huckels the rules. (SN)x behaves like a one conductor conduction is explained.
4.4 Points for Discussion: (i) The molecule S3 N 3 has a planar six membered ring structure and has 10II electrons. The system obeys Huckels rule. (ii) The over lapping of P * orbital (half filled) in (SN)x l e a d s to one
dimensional conduction.
4.5 References 1. Advanced F.A.cotton (1972). 2. Inorganic and chemistry (4t h Ed) Re print education Asia. 2002 J.E. Huheey, E.A.Keitar Inorganic and Chemistry Wiley A comprehensive Eastern Text (3r d E d ) . New Delhi
G.Wilkinson
Limited -
R.L.Keiter
Pearson
41 LESSON 5
CONTENTS
5.0 5.1 5.2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES INTRODUCTION METALLIC STATE
5.2.1 FREE ELECTRON THEORY 5.2.2 BAND THEORY 5.3 5.4 5.5 LET US SUM UP POINTS FOR DISCUSSION
REFERENCES
5.0
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES In this lesson the conductivity of metals can be understood on the basis
of free electron theory and band theory. The behavour of semi conductors is discussed on the basis of band theory. After going through this lesson you would be able to Understand the electrical properties of metals. The electrical conductivity of semiconductors can be understood.
5.1
INTRODUCTION Metals have (2) high the following characteristics properties with (1) high
reflectivity
electrical
conductance,
decreasing
increas ing
temperature (3) high thermal conductance (4) Mechanical properties such as strength and ductility. An explanation for these properties, and for their
variations from one metal to the other, must be derived from the structural and electronic nature of metal. The electrical conductivities of
At the beginning of the twentieth century, a bold guess was made by Drude regarding the electronic structures of metals. The resulting free
Drude- Lorentz theory of metals. The basic assumption of this theory is that a metal crystal consists of positive metal ions whose velance electrons are free to move between the ions as if they constituted an electron gas. The crystal is than pictured to be held together by electrostatic forces of attraction between the positively charged ions and the negatively charged electron gas. It is further assumed that the electrons are free to move throughout the entire
between negative electrons is ignored in this theory and the potential field due to the positive ions is assumed to be completely uniform. Thus the
electrons can move from place to place in the crystal without change in their energy. The electrons collide occasionally with the atoms and have velocities determined at constant temperature according to the Maxwall- B o l t z m a n n successful in explaining
many properties of metals. For example if an external electric field is applied to metal, the negatively charged electrons are accelerated towards the
positive pole of the field. The resulting current is limited by electron atom collisions Ohms and is The proportional opaqueness to of the applied for voltage all gradient according of light to is
law.
metals
wavelengths
explained by the ability of a free electron to oscillate in the electromag netic field of the incident light beam regardless of its frequency. Similarly a free electron once excited to a higher energy by the absorption of energy, can return to its former energy by reemitting light of the same frequency in all direct ions. Because only light rays directed towards the surface can get out of the crystal, this interaction appears as a reflection of the incident light and
43 2. 3. It is used to explain the electrical and thermal conductivities of metals. It is used to explain the optical properties of metals.
Breakdown of classical theory 1. From the classical free electron theory the value of specific heat of
metal is given by 4.5 x R, where R is the gas constant. But experimental value is nearly equal to 3R. According to classical free electron theory, the value of electronic specific heat is equal to 3/2R. But actually it is0 . 0 1 R only.
2.
We
cannot
explain
the
electrical
conductivity
of
semi
conductors
or
3.
4.
The photo electric effect, compton effect and the black body radiation
1.
As
the
temperature
increases
the
electrical
resistance
of
metal
increases explain.
2.
Please do not proceed until you attempt the above questions. The space below for your answer.
1.
Quantum concepts are followed. That is, the distribution of electrons in a solid is determined by Femi- Dirac distribution.
2.
44
3.
The
physical
properties at
of
solids fermi
depend
on
the Thus
number the
of
free level
electrons
available
the
energy
level.
fermi
4.
The
correct heat,
values
of
electrical absorption,
conductivity, ferromagnetic
thermal
conductivity, are
specific
optical
susceptibility
5.
Quantum
free
electron
theory
is
not
only
applicable
for
metals
6.
Thus the correct pictures of atoms and molecules and their electron distributions and bonds are identified only from the quantum free
Electron in a Metal
Consider problem for a three dimensional metal in which the electrons move in all directions so that three quantum numbers nx ,n y , and nz a r e
needed, corresponding to the resolution of the motion into components along three perpendicular axes x, y, and z. For simplicity we will take the potential energy of the electron to be zero inside the metal and infinite outside. So that the problem is just an extension of the one dimensional problem. Therefore with a cubically shaped block of metal of sides a the levels can be written as h2 En where = 8ma2 nx ,n y , and nz can each take any number from the set 1,2,3,. etc., (n x 2 + ny 2 + nz 2 ) .. (A) permitted energy
numbers nx , n y and nz
are
required
to
specify
completely each stationary state. It should be noted that the energy E depends only on the sum of the squares of nx , n y and nz . Consequently there will be in general several different wave functions having the same energy. For example the three independent stationary states having (2,1,1,), quantum (1,2,1) numbers and (1,1,2) for nx , n y and nz have the same energy
6h 2 /8ma 2 such states and energy levels are said to be degenerate and the corresponding wave functions are Y 2 1 1 ' Y 1 2 1 Y 1 1 2 .
On the other hand if there is only one wave function corresponding to a certain energy, the state and the energy level are said to be non
The
ground
state
with
quantum
numbers
(1,1,1)
has
the
energy
The degeneracy breaks down on applying a magnetic field or electric field to the system.
The expression for the energy values given in equation (A) corresponds to the permissible energy values that the valence electrons in a m t a l m a y e have, but it is essential to know what energies the electrons actually possess. For a piece of metal of macroscopic dimensions, say a centimeter cube, the
46 energy of the ground state (nx = ny = n z = 1) is of the order of 10- 1 5 eV and hence may be taken to be zero for all practical purposes.
Also the maximum spacing between consecutive energy levels is less than 10- 6 eV. So the distribution of energy levels may be regarded as a
continuum.
If a plot is made for a large range of energy values such that the individual En values are so close together that they can be shown as a
continuum and the number of states per interval of energy, N(E) increases parabolically with increasing E as shown in figure (3.1(a)).
The dashed line shows the nature of the that occurs on heating to room temperature.
change
in
electron
energies
Fig 5.1
Figure 5.1
(a) (b)
The distribution of energy states as a function of energy E Filling of energy levels by electrons at 0 K
(a).
Fermi energy
The
valence
electrons
tend
to
occupy
the
lowest
available
energy
states. However because of the mutual interactions among all the electrons
47 that form the electron gas, it is necessary to consider that all the electrons
are in a single system and that the Pauli Exclusion Principal applies.
According to Pauli exclusion Principle only two electrons can occupy a given state specified by the three quantum numbers (nx , n y and nz ), one with spin up and other with spin down (i.e., with opposite spins).
As a result of this principle, at0 K the electrons fill all the states upto a certain maximum energy level, Em a x called the fermi level or fermi energy E. All quantum states in the energy levels above EF are empty (figure 3.1(b). Thus the fermi level is a boundary line which separates all the filled states and empty states at 0 K in a metal.
Thus in a metal the energy of the highest filled state at 0 K is called the fermi energy EF or fermilevel. The magnitude of EF dependson how
many free electrons there are. AT 0 K all states upto EF are full and states above are EF are empty. 5.2.2 Band or Zone theory of Solids
Energy bands in solids (quantitative treatment) In an isolated atom, the electrons are tightly bound and have discrete sharp energy levels. When two identical atoms are brought together the
energy levels of each atom which are initially the same are split in to two, one higher and one lower than the corresponding levels of the separated
atoms.
The splitting only becomes appreciable when the wave functions of the electrons on different atoms begin to overlap considerably; at a given
distance it is therefore greatest for the outermost electrons and least for the inner electrons.
If more atoms are brought together more levels are formed and for a solid of 'N' atoms, each of the energy level of an atom splits into N levels of
48 energy. The levels are close together that they form an almost continuous band.
The width of this band depends on the degree of overlap of electrons on adjacent atoms and is again largest for the outermost atomic electrons. The bands appear only when the distance between two atoms is very small. That is the bands are formed in solid only.
For example, when the distance between two sodium atoms is about 5 the splitting of energy levels is maximum and bands appear. But when the distance between sodium atoms is about 20 the splitting of energy levels is minimum formation. and there is no band formation and hence there is no solid
The electrons can take only the energy values which are in the band.
The gap between two allowed band is called forbidden energy gap (or) band gap since the electron cannot take the values of energy which are in t h e forbidden energy gap. Normally we are interested in the valence (outermost energy) band, formed by valence electrons since these are responsible for
electrical, thermal and optical properties of solids. Above the valence band there is conduction band which has no electrons at 0 K.
49
Fig. 5.2
Figure 5.2. Energy levels of an isolated atom and the energy bands in the solid.
Figure 3.2 shows the energy levels of an isolated atom and solid which is the collection of N atoms. We can see that the allowed bands and the energy gap between the allowed bands. Thus the bands are formed in solids only and are due to overlapping of wave functions of different states and the consequent energy level splitting.
Distinguish
between
conductors,
semiconductors
and
insulators
on
the
In a solid the outermost allowed band formed by valence electrons is called the valence band and is fully or partially filled. Since the valence
50 electrons are alone determining the properties of the material, the remaining
The band that is above the valence band and empty at 0K is called the conduction band and is partially filled by free electrons which ar e g e n e r a l l y unbound valence electrons generated by thermal excitation or electric field.
The band gap or forbidden gap is the energy interval between the maximum conduction energy band. of In the valence band and the minimum energy of the
conductors,
insulators and semiconductors, the value of band gap plays an important role in determining the carrier concentration or electrical conductivity of different materials.
Solids conductors,
can
be
classified and
on
the
basis
of
their
band
structure
as
semiconductors
insulators.
happen in two ways. In the first case, the valence band is only partially filled as in figure 5.3 (a). The electrons here can respond to an externally applied field by acquiring extra velocity and moving into higher energy states. In the
51 second case, a full valence band overlaps the conduction band as shown in figure 3.3(b) so that the forbidden gap is zero. Monovalent metals such as the alkali metals have one electron per atom in the outer most shell and the outer m o s t e n e rgy bands are half filled in these metals. Divalent metals such as magnesium have overlapping conduction and valence bands. Therefore they
can also conduct even if the valence band is full. The band structure of trivalent metals such as Aluminium is similar to that of monovalent metals. Thus there is no meaning for band gap in conductors.
Semiconductors are those materials which have an energy gap of about 2 to 3 eV or less. When the energy gap is 2eV or less an appreciable number of electrons can be excited across the gap at room temperature. So
semiconductors conduct much better than insulators at room temperatures but still orders of magnitude poorer than metals which have no forbidden gap. By adding impurities or by thermal excitation we can increase the electrical
conductivity in semiconductors. Figure 5.4 (a) shows the band structure of silicon. Insulators 3eV. It would has be are those materials that which millions an have of an volt/m energy of gap more than
been
estimated to
electrical to
necessary
accelerate
electrons
sufficiently
forbidden gap. The other possibility for a transition is that electrons cross the gap by thermal excitation. At room temperature the number of electrons that can be thermally excitedacross the gap in insulators such as Diamond turns out to be extremely small. Figure 3.4 (b) shows the band structure of
diamond.
So
the
conductors
are
the
materials
having
enormous
elect ical r
conduction; the insulators are the materials in which practically there is no electrical conduction and the semiconductors are the materials in which the electrical conduction is in between the electrical conduction of conductor and insulator.
Electron in a periodic potential (Origin of band gap and effective mass of electrons)
52
the
Sommerfeld
theory
discussed
earlier
accounts
satisfactorily
conductivity in most metals, it failed to explain why other also contain free electrons have virtually no conductivity and
that
are considered to be excellent insulators. A solution to this problem is given by the Zone theory or Band theory of solids. The effect of the periodic lattice field on the motion of the electrons leads to the zone or band theory of solids, which is of the greatest importance for understanding the structures and properties of metals, alloys and non- metallic solids.
Fig.5.5
One
dimensional
periodic
potential
provided by the lattice. The potential of the solid varies periodically with the periodicity of space lattice and the potential energy of the electron is zero
near the nucleus of the +ve ion in the lattice and maximum when it is half way between the adjacent nuclei which are separated by the interatomic
spacing distance 'a' (Figure.3.5). This model was first postulated by Kronig and penny. So taking this model and solving the Schroedinger equation for this case, we can find the existence of energy gap between the allowed values of energy of electron.
So if we use classical theory, we can get a parabola when we plot the curve between the electron's energy and its momentum. In the figure.3.6 (a) instead of momentum 'P' h the wave vector k is used since P = hk = 2p l l 2p h . Thus the 'k'
is directly proportional to momentum 'P'. Since the curve is a parabola, we can infer that the energy varies continuously.
But
by
Kronig- Penny
model,
we
can
get
parabola
with
some
discontinuities in it as shown in figure3.6(b). Thus we have allowed bands and forbidden energy gap between the allowed bands.
54
Self
check
exercise 2
1.
How does the band theory explain the conductivity of semi conductors?
Self
check
exercise - 2
Model Answer:
(i) hence
Ge and SI are intrinsic semi conductors. Their band gaps are low and even at ordinary temperatures free electrons are present in the
5.3 Let us Sum Up (i) The free electron theory and band theory of metals and their applications are discussed. is (ii) Quantum (iv) The free electron theory is discussed. and (iii) Fermi are
energy
explained
conductors,
semiconductors
insulators
1.
The free electron theory of metals as suggested by Drude and Lorentz successfully conductivity, explained increase of properties electrical of metals such with as electrical and
resistance
temperature
metallic luster.
2.
3.
The modified quantum free electron theory gives the correct values of electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, specific heats of metals.
4.
The quantum free electron theory can be applied to metals as well as semiconductors and insulators.
55 5.5 References 1. Advanced F.A.cotton (1972). 2. Inorganic and chemistry (4t h Ed) Re print education Asia. 2002 J.E. Huheey, E.A.Keitar Inorganic and Chemistry Wiley A comprehensive Eastern Text (3r d E d ) . New Delhi
G.Wilkinson
Limited -
R.L.Keiter
Pearson
56 LESSON - 6 CONTENTS 6.0 6.1 6.2 Aims and Objectives Introduction CRYSTAL IMPERFECTIONS 6.2.1 Point defects (Zero dimensional defects)
6.2.2 Line defects (One dimensional defects) 6.2.3 Surface defects (Two dimensional defects)
a) Volume defects (Three dimensional defects) b) Non- Stocchiometry 6.3 6.4 6.5 Let us Sum Up Points for Discussion
References
6.0
AIMS
AND
OBJECTIVES
The study of imperfections has a two fold purpose, namely (i) A better understanding of them and how they affect material
The
term
imperfection
or
defect
is
generally used
to
describe
any
6.1
INTRODUCTION
In
an
ideal
crystal,
the
atomic
arrangement
is
perfectly
regular
and
continuous throughout. But real crystals are never perfect; lattice distortion and them. solids, various The imperfections, mechanical, irregularities and alloys or defects are generally of present in
electrical and
magnetic are
properties
crystalline by the
particularly in the
metals crystals.
profoundly
affected
imperfections
1.
Point
imperfections
are
also
called
zero
dimensional
imperfections.
2.
In a crystal lattice, point defect is one which is completely local in its effect, e.g., a vacant lattice site.
3.
The
introduction
of
point
defect
into
crystal
increases
its
internal
energy as compared to that of the perfect crystal. Further they produce distortions inside the crystal structure.
4.
5.
If a point defect is a vacancy, then there is no bonding. Hence the value of the mechanical strength at that point is reduced.
6.
Similarly if an impurity atom is present instead of the original atom, in the lattice, there must be some strain due to the different size of the impurity atom.
7.
Point thermal
defects
are
created mechanical
during stress
crystal or
growth
and
application they
of are
energy,
electric
field.
Further
a. Vacancies A vacancy or vacant site implies an unoccupied atom position within the crystal lattice. In other words, vacancies are simplify empty atom sites. Vacancies may be single, two or more of them may condense into a divacancy or tri- vacancy.
58 It may be shown by thermodynamic reasoning that lattice vacancies are a stable feature of metals at all temperatures above absolute zero. Vacancies exist in a certain proportion in a crystal in thermal equilibrium leading to an increase in the randomness of the structure.
The
every
day
industrial
processes
of
annealing,
homogenization,
precipitation, sintering, surface hardening, oxidation and creep, all involve to varying degrees, the transport of atoms through the lattice with the help of vacancies.
Vacancies
may
occur
as
result
of
imperfect
packing
during
the
original crystallization or they may arise from thermal vibrations of atoms at elevated temperatures, because as thermal energy is increased there is a
higher probability that individual atoms will jump out of their position of lowest energy.
The distorting
atoms the
surrounding planes.
lattice
Schottky defect
1.
Ion
vacanciesare
called
Schottky
defects.
2.
A pair of one cation and one anion can be missing from an ionic crystal. The valency of the missing pair of ions should be equal to maintain the electrical neutrality. So these are normally generated in
3.
When vacancies are created by movements of an anoin and one cation from positions inside the crystal to positions on the surface of the
4.
59 b. 1. Interstitial Defect
An interstitial defect arises when an atom occupies a definite position in the lattice that is not normally occupied in the perfect crystal.
2.
In interstitialcies, atoms occupy vacant positions between the atoms of the ideal crystal. The interstitial atom may be lodged within the crystal structure, particularly if the density of packing (or) packing fraction is low.
3.
produces to push is
atomic the
distortion
or
strain further
because apart,
surrounding
atoms
interstitial
atom
4.
By giving enormous stress (or) compressive force to a crystal, some of the parent atoms dislodge from their lattice sites and occupy the voids or interstitials present in the called self interstitial lattice. These type of imperfecti o n s a r e
imperfections.
Frenkel defect
1.
In the case of ionic crystals, an ion displayed from the lattice into an interstitial site is called a Frenkle defect.
2.
As cations are generally the smaller ions, it is possible for them to get displaced into the void space present in the lattice. Anions do not get displaced like this, as the void space is just too small for their size.
3.
A Frenkel imperfection does not change the overall electrical neutrality of the crystal. The point imperfections in silver halides and calcium
4.
60 c. Impurities
1.
2.
A controlled addition of impurity to a very pure semiconductor crystal is the basis of producing of many electronic and devices like impurity diodes atoms and in
transistors.
Addition
pentavalent
tetravalent
3.
Foreign
atoms
generally
have
atomic
radii
and
electronic
structures
differing from those of the host atoms and therefore act as centers of distortion.
4.
Basically there are two types of impurity defects. A substitutional impurity refers to a foreign atom that substitutes or replaces a parent atom in the lattice as shown in fog. 4.1(a). for
5.
In
the
case in the
of
semiconductor are
technology
aluminium in the
and
phosphorous Further in
doped during
silicon
substitutional of Brass
impurities the
crystal. are
production
alloy,
zinc
atoms
doped
copper lattice. Here the zinc atoms are called substitutional impurities. In ionic solids, for example in sodium chloride, the substitution of Na+ by Li + produces a substitutional impurity.
61
An interstitial impurity is a small sized atom occupying the void space in the parent crystal, without dislodging any of the parent atoms from their sites as shown in figure 4.1 (b). An atom can enter the interstitial or void space only when it is substantially smaller than the parent atom. For example in FCC iron, the atomic radius of iron atom is equal to 2.25. The carbon atoms with atomic radius equal to 0.777 can occupy the octahedr l v o i d a spaces in FCC lattice as interstitial impurities, But the carbon atom radius is greater than the radius of the void and so a strain is produced there. Addition of carbon atom upto 1.7% in Iron increases its mechanical strength.
d.
Electronic
defects
1.
Electronic
defects
are
the
result
of
errors
in
charge
distribution
in
solids. These defects are free to move in the crystal under the influence of an electrical field, there by accounting for some electronic
2.
For
example
if
we
take
zinc
oxide,
the
zinc
ions
can
occupy
interstitials and this leads to a large number of positive charges at that place.
3.
In some places if zinc ions are missing, then in that places there is a gain of negative charges due to loss of positive charges.
4.
Thus a vacancy or an interstitial impurity may produce the excess or the deficit of positive or negative charges.
1.
strength of iron.
3.
Addition of copper atoms in gold increase the ductility of gold so that it can be drawn into wires
4.
in copper lattice, the substitutional impurity atoms of tin increases the bearing properties of copper.
1.
Line
defects
are
called
dislocation.
These
are
one dimensional -
2.
dislocation
may
be defined
as
disturbed
region
between
two
substantially perfects parts of a crystal. It is a line defect in a crystal structure whereby a partplane of atoms is displaced from its
3.
The most
dislocation metals
is
deform
4.
One may conclude that dislocation is the region of localized lattice disturbance separating the slipped and unslipped regions of a crystal.
5.
Burgers component
vector of
marks
the
magnitude
and
direction
of
the
strain
dislocation.
6.
Dislocations arise in crystals as a result of i. ii. iii. iv. v. Growth accidents Thermal stresses External stresses causing plastic flow Phase transformations Segregation of solute atoms causing mismatches, etc.
Screw dislocation
a. Edge dislocation
v An edge dislocation is created in the crystal by introducing an extra half plane or (any extra plane that does not extend up to the base of the crystal). v The bond lengths have been compressed to smaller than the equilibrium value. Just below the edge of the extra plane the atoms are pulled apart and are in a state of tension. v Here the bond lengths have been stretched to above the normal values. v This distorted configuration extends all along the edge into the crystal. There is an extra energy due to the distortion in the region immediately surrounding the edge of the incomplete plane. v As the region of the maximum distortion is centred around the edge of the incomplete plane, this distortion represents a line imperfection and is called an edge dislocation. v The edge dislocation is said to be negative, denoted by T, when the insertion of the extra plane is from the bottom of the crystal.
v ^ denotes + ve edge dislocation in which the insertion of extra plane from the top of it. v Let us see something about the Burgers circuit. Take a point P Starting from P, move x times the atomic distance in the positive x direction and then move 'y' times the atomic distance in the positive y direction and then move x times the atomic distance in the negatively x
direction and then move y times the y direction. After this movement
64 we can arrive at the original starting point 'P'. The circuit is a closed one and this type of circuit is called Burgers circuit.
v We draw the burgers circuit as explained above and if the circuit could not be completed then dislocation in the circuit. v From the end point, if we want to arrive the starting point then we must move an extra distance 'b'. Therefore the vector b connecting the end point with the starting point is the burgers vector of the dislocation. Immediately one can infer that there is a
b.
Screw
dislocation
v Screw dislocation results from a displacement of the atoms in one part of a crystal relative to the rest of the crystal, forming a spiral ramp around the dislocation line. v Figure 4.2 shows what happens when one part of the crystal is displaced relative to the rest of the crystal and the displacement terminals within the crystal. The row of atoms marking the
termination of the displacement is the screw dislocation. v By means of burgers vector as shown in the figure 4.2 one can determine the magnitude and direction of the screw dislocation. v In the figure EF indicates the dislocation line. v Normally the real dislocations which occur in the crystals are the mixtures of edge and screw dislocations.
65
Fig. 6.2 Screw Dislocation 6.2.3 Surface Defects v Surface imperfections which are two dimensional in the m a t h e m a t i c a l sense refer to regions of distortions that lie about a surface having a thickness defects. v We can classify these defects into two main types which are external surface imperfections and internal surface imperfections. of a few atomic diameters. These are also called plane
a.
External
surface
imperfections.
v The external surface of a crystal is an imperfection in itself, as the atomic visualize bonds an do not extend surface beyond the surface. a Although the we may
external
simplify
terminus of
crystal
structure, the atoms on that surface cannot be compared with the atoms within the crystal.
66
v Because the external surface atoms have neighbours on one side only, while atoms inside the crystal have neighbors on either side of them. S i n c e t he external surface atoms are not entirely surrounded by others they possess higher energy than that of internal atoms.
b.
Internal
surface
imperfections
v Internal surface imperfections arise from a change in the stacking of atomic planes across a boundary. The change may be one of the
orientation or of the stacking sequence of the planes. v Some important internal surface imperfections are given below: i. ii. iii. iv. v. Grain Boundaries Tilt boundaries and twist boundaries Twin boundaries Stacking faults and Ferromagnetic domain walls
grain of
boundaries different
are
those
surface
imperfections,
which
separate
orientations in a polycrystalline aggregate. or are during recrystallization oriented with of polycrystalline respect to one
randomly
another. They grow by the addition of atoms from the adjacent regions a n d e v e n t u a lly impinge on each other. When two crystals impinge in this manner, the atoms that are caught in between the two crystals are being pulled by each of the two crystals to join its own configuration. v They can join neither crystal due to the opposing forces and therefore
take up a compromise position. The thickness of this region is only a few atomic diameters, because the opposing forces from neighboring
67 crystals are felt by the intervening atoms only at such short distances. The boundary region is called a crystal boundary or a grain boundary.
v The crystal orientation changes sharply at the grain boundary, as shown in figure 4.3(a). v It is obvious from this that the grain boundary forms a discontinuity in the periodicity of the lattice of crystallite or grain and is therefore a
ii. Tilt boundaries and twist boundaries v Tilt boundary is another type of surface imperfection and it may be regarded as an array of edge dislocations (^ ) v It is also a class of low angle boundaries v By rotation of an axis in the boundary it is possible to bring the axis of two bordering In this grains figure into 'h' is coincidence, the i.e. a tilt boundary, two (figure
4.3(b).
distance
between
neighbouring
dislocations and 'q' is the angle of tilt, 'b' is the Burgers Vector. v Twist boundaries are the second class of low angle boundaries result from the set of screw dislocations. In twist boundary the r o t a t i o n i s about an axis normal to the boundary.
6.3 (a)
v Surface
imperfections
which
separate
two
orientations
that
are
mirror
images of one another are called twin boundaries v Twin boundaries occur in pairs, such that the orientation change
stacking
fault
is
surface
imperfections
that
results
from
the
stacking of one atomic plane out of sequence on another, while the lattice on either side of the fault is perfect. The stacking fault is a discrepancy in the packing sequence of the layers of atoms (although all the lattice sites are occupies). v For example in the case of close packed FCC structure the stacking sequence can be written as ABC ABC In that sequence it is possible in one atom layer 'A' the atoms are not positioned properly in a small region and hence deviates from the sequence, relative to the atoms of the layers above and below giving a defect, since now there is a
69 sequence of BCBC which belongs to HCP structure instead of ABC ABC v Figure 4.4(b) shows the stacking fault in a FCC metal. So on may conclude that stacking fault may arise when the there is only small of
dissimilarity
(electrostatically)
between
stacking
sequences
close- packed planes in FCC and HCP metals. v Stacking faults are more frequently found in deformed metals than in annealed metals.
6.2
Volume defects v Volume defects such as cracks may arise when there is only small electrostatic dissimilarity between the stacking of closed p a c k e d
planes in metals. v Further when clusters of atoms are missing, a large vacancy or void result which is also a volume imperfection. v Foreign particle inclusions, large voids or non crystalline regions
which have the dimensions of at last 10 to 30 are also called volume imperfections.
Effect 1.
of
Crystal
imperfections
The addition of impurities in the case of semiconductors increases the electrical conductivity; but in the case of metals, it decreases the
electrical conductivity.
2.
The
impurity These
atoms are
in
the
lattice colour
give centers.
characteristic If we
colours pure
to
the
crystals.
called
take
copper
sulphate crystal it is colourless. but due to addition of water molecules, it turns out to be blue in colour. Similarly in the aliminium oxide
lattice the addition of chromium atoms gives the red colour to it.
A crystal
defect
like
schottky
defect, there
-
leaves are
the equal
stoichiometry number
+2
of
the
ionic cl
unaffected.
For
example
of
+ Na and
vacancies in Nacl. These are 2cl vacancies per ca certain transition metal compounds, especially
oxides
stoichiometric defect occurs. This is because of the ability of the metal to exist in more than one oxidation state. A well known case is "FeO" which consists of a 'CCP' array of oxide ions with all octahedral holes filled Fe
+2
by
+3
ions. Actually some of these sites are vacant, while others contain fe sufficient about to maintain Ti O electroneutality. can be on obtained the Thus the with of stoichiometry
ions,
is
commonly
Fe0 . 9 5 O.
ranging while
depending
pressure
when
heated
to
give
yellow
to
black
solids
of
compos i t i o n . C d 1 +rO similarly when Nacl is trwated with sodium vapour, it absorbs sodium to give blue solid of composition number (nr) of anion vacancies are created. Na1 + r These cl. An appropriate anion vacancies are
centers
(fairbe).
What are point defects? How are Frenkel and schottky defects created.
Self Check 1.
Self
1.
What are non stoichiometric defects? Does schottky defect lead to nonstoichiometry.
2.
Colour
centers
are
produced
due
to
anion
vacancies
and
trapped
electrons cdo D CdO 6.3 Let us Sum Up Crystal imperfections such as i) point defects, ii) line defects, iii) Cd 1 + r O
surface defects and iv) volume defects are discussed in detail. Effect of crystal imperfections is indicated the different types of boundaries are discussed.
6.4 Points for Discussion 1. Transition metal oxides and sulphides can have non- stoichiometry,
since these metals have variable oxidation states. 2. 3. Anion vacancies can be created due to excess metal atoms. Zno, on heating loses oxygen creating oxide ion vacancies, thus zno is yellow when hot white when cold (F- centre formation).
6.5 References 1. Advanced F.A.cotton (1972). 2. Inorganic and chemistry (4t h Ed) Re print education Asia. 2002 J.E. Huheey, E.A.Keitar Inorganic and Chemistry Wiley A comprehensive Eastern Text (3r d E d ) . New Delhi
G.Wilkinson
Limited -
R.L.Keiter
Pearson
72
understand the super conducting behaviour of certain materials and the applications of super conducting materials
7.1
electron theory.
conducting properties of metals and the decrease in electrical conductivity of metals with the increase in temperature can be explained on the basis of collisions of electrons with metal ions. materials. Super conductors are zero resistivity The
7.2.1 Conductors
One of the successes of the zone theory is its ability to distinguish conductors of electricity from nonconductors. is only partly filled, as shown in Fig 1.1. Consider a Brillouin zone that In the absence of an external
0electric field, each electron moves with a velocity determined by its energy; however, no net movement occurs, since for each electron with an energy determined by k there is a symmetrically located electron at k moving in the opposite direction. When an external field is applied, the distribution can
be displaced in the direction of the electric field by moving the electrons into adjacent quantum states in the same zone, as indicated in Fig 1.1 by the dashed circle. Obviously, only the electrons occupying energy levels lying Nevertheless,
near the Fermi surface can move into the higher energy states.
a net displacement of the electrons produces a net current, and a crystal with a partially filled zone is a conductor. As this process continues, it is possible
that an electron ultimately occupies a quantum state on the Brillouin- zone boundary. At this point, it cannot mover farther in the same direction
without crossing the boundary, that is without a transition to a quantum state lying in the next zone. electron's Physically, velocity the normal Such a transition is highly improbable so that t e h to the be zone pictured boundary as being is zero in this state. by the
electron
can
totally
reflected
crystallographic planes parallel to the zone boundary at this point. of the zone model, the point of reflected on electron the "reappears" zone in in the
In terms zone at a a is
opposite
Such zone
available
quantum
states
shown schematically in Fig 1.2, where q 0 shows the initial quantum sta t e o f the electron, when an external field is applied; q R electron when reflection occurs; is the quantum state of the and q F is the final state when the external
field is removed.
74
When the zone structure Fig a crystal is such that the energy values in of 1.1 & 1.2 two adjacent zones overlap, it is not possible to complete the filling of one zone without also occupying the lower- energy quantum states in the zone. least one partially
This means, of course, that such a crystal must have at filled zone and that it is a conductor of electricity.
An interesting situation
arises when one of the zones is very nearly filled while the next zone is only partly occupied. The relative energy of the 4s states is slightly lower t an h
that of the 3d states for the first transition series in the periodic table of elements. The partial occupation of these states by the outer electrons of
transition metals means that the corresponding Brillouin zones are also party filled. filled, For example, it can be shown that the 3d zone of nickel is 94 percent whereas the 4s zone is 70 percent empty. Furthermore, it is believed
that conductivity in these metals takes place by transitions in the 4s zone. Now, when a 4s electron undergoes a transition from a quantum state on the zone boundary to an empty state it can be either "reflected back" in to the same zone or "scattered" into the 3d zone because there are quantum states of equal energy present in both zones. Such scattering decreases the n u m b e r o f
electrons contributing to the current and is believed to be responsible for the lower conductivity observed in the transition metals. In case the Brillouin zones in a crystal are completely filled or
completely empty and separated by a forbidden- energy region, the electrons cannot undergo transitions to adjacent quantum states and the crystal is an insulator. There are special cases of insulators in which one zone is very
75 nearly filled and the next zone almost but not quite empty. occurs in semiconductors and also leads to conductivity. metals, however, the currents in semiconductors are This situa tion
magnitude smaller. Conductivity in pure metals : The conductivity of most metals can be explained without recourse to the zone theory. According to the free- electron theory, electrons can undergo
transitions from one quantum state near the Fermi surface to another adjacent and unoccupied state under the influence of an external field. If this process
were allowed to continue without end, the electrons would continue to occupy ever- increasing energy states, a situation that is contrary to the observed
the electrons cannot continuously increase their energy is explained by their collisions with the metal ions, which occupy most of the space in a metal. These collisions are elastic so that the electrons transfer both energy an d momentum in the process. Because of the much larger mass of the ions, an
electron loses most of its newly gained energy and momentum so that its velocity, averaged over a period of time, is altered only slightly. There is,
nevertheless, a small but finite increase in the velocity component parallel to the applied field. bouncing from Thus, even though the electron follows an erratic path, to atom in all directions, it does undergo a net
atom
displacement in a direction determined by the applied field. The increase in its velocity component parallel to the applied field direction is called its drift velocity.
The
average
distance
that
an
electron
travels
between
collisions
is
proportional to its charge e and inversely proportional to its mass m. conductivity s or its reciprocal, the resistivity r, r = 1 mv --- = ---s nc e 2 l is thus given by . (1)
76 where n c is the number of conduction electrons a n d v is the average velocity as determined by their average kinetic energy E v .
vibration
the ions & 1.4a crystal increases with increasing Fig 1.3 in This has the effect of increasing the probability of an electron or of decreasing the mean the mean free path. Conversely, as the
of
collision
temperature
decreases,
This is actually
Note that the mean free path tends to According to (1) this implies
that the resistivity of a metal should tend toward zero as the te mperature approaches zero. This conclusion is borne out by experiment, as shown by Note
that for all temperature above a certain low temperature the resistivity is directly proportional to the temperature.
Quantitative calculations of the mean free path have been made for certain metals, using quantum mechanics. These calculations have led to
results that are in good agreement with experimental values, particularly for the simpler metals such as the alkalis. The conductivities
o
(expressed compared
in
are
with
In
crystals
belonging
to
the
cubic
system,
the
conductivity
is
The conductivity (or its reciprocal, the resistivity) in crystals of lower symmetry. In the case of
crystals possessing one unique axis, that is in the hexagonal and tetragonal systems, the resistivity is different for current flow parallel to the unique axis and normal to it.
Conductivity in alloys : The reasons. mean free path of an electron decreases in an alloy for two
by local inhomogeneities in the crystal structure produced by the difference in the sizes of the different atoms. the case of solid- solution alloys. the resistivity reaches a This effect is particularly noticeable in
In the unannealed or random solid solution, at the 50- 50 composition, since this
maximum
resistivity is due to a discontinuity in the periodic potential encountered by the electrons in the vicinity of the solute atoms. ordered alloys Cu3 A u a n d to the CuAu, the curve path At the compositions of the exhibits of the definite electrons minima, due to
corresponding
increased
mean
free
that annealing serves to decrease the resistivity also because it removes other imperfections present which may also act as scattering centers for electrons.
In a solid solution, the increased resistivity, due to the introduction of solute atoms, does not disappear at the absolute zero. remains is usually called the residual resistance. The resistance that
independent of temperature in dilute alloys but varies with changes in the composition of an alloy. According to Matthiessen's rule, the resistivity of
78 an ideal alloy can be expressed as the sum of the residual resistance and a resistivity term which varies with temperature in the same linear manner as the resistivity of a pure metal.
Self 1.
check
exercise 1
If kentic energies and mean free paths are assumed to be equal for Na a n d A l, what would be the ratio of the free electrons nN a nA l ?
2.
Discuss alloy.
the
variation
of
resistivity
with
the
compositions
of
cu Au -
Please answer the above before you proceed further. your answer.
7.2.2 Zero
resistivity
materials
(Superconductors)
of is
certain called
ultra
cold
substances
to
conduct
electricity this
superconductivity.
Substances
having
superconductors.
superconductor as
is
conductor below
having its
almost
zero
resistivity transition
behaves
diamagnetic
superconducting
temperature.
Fig 7.5
79
The
superconducting
transition
temperature
as a critical temperature at which the resistivity of the material is suddenly changed to zero as shown in fig. 7.5. Thus at that temperature a material is In the figure the transition
region is of finite width AB and depends upon the presence of impurities and internal stresses in the sample. In chemically pure crystal which is also free
from lattice defects, the width of the transition region is very very narrow. The temperature 'Tc ' of pure metals range from 0.35 K (Hafnium) to 9.22 K have higher transition temperatures. Particularly Niobium
(Niobium) and of semiconductors from 0.3K (Ge Te) to 1.25 K (NbO). Commonly alloys
compounds such as Nb3 Sn (Tc = 1.81 K) and Nb3 Ge (Tc = 22.65 K) have higher transition temperatures and so they are technically important superconductors. At observed. 1. 2. 3. 4. The electrical resistivity drops to zero The magnetic flux lines are excluded from the material There is a discontinuous change in specific heat. Further there are also small changes in thermal conductivity and the volume of the material. the transition temperature, the following physical changes are
Explanations for 1.
At the extremely low temperatures, vibrations of the nuclei of certain atoms slow down so much and they synchronise with passing waves of electrons in a flow of electric current. electric current disappears. When this happens resistance to
80 2. BARDEEN COOPER AND SCHRIEFFER THEORY According to that, superconductivity occurs when there is a formation of cooper pair of electrons (or) bound electron pair. These two
electrons with opposite spins and momenta form a pair through electron electron interaction via the lattice deformation or phonon field. type of interaction can occur only at very low temperatures. during the transition from normal state to super conducting This Thus state
electrons of opposite spin couple with each other via the vibrations of the lattice that the material's atoms form. One electron in the
communicating pair distorts the lattice which can then take up energy from the second electron and immediately they from a bound electron pair or Cooper pair.
Fig 7.6 As shown in figure 1.6, one electron with wave vector k distorts the lattice emitting a phonon of wave vector q. The other electron with wave
vector k takes up the energy down the lattice and its wave vector changes into k + q. Thus these two electrons with wave vectors k q and k + q form
3.
RVB Theory :
The low
conventional At
BCS higher
theory
accounts
for
superconductivity degradation
only
at the
temperatures.
temperatures
thermal
breaks
Thus it is unable to
81 Many theories have been suggested, but none is satisfactory. the promising one is the Resonating Valence Bond (RVB) state One of theory
initiated by P.W. Anderson and the Princeton university group. that intense electron pairing needed brought about through an
According to
attractive
Further it is based on
the idea that it is the short range repulsion between electrons in a narrow band which gives rise to superconductivity.
A key element of RVB theory is that electron pairs can exist in a material that is not superconducting. Superconductivity occurs when the
The holes then form pairs and undergo possible. p type These high
temperature
superconductors
superconductors
Recently
'n'
type
superconductors
Nd and Sm have been prepared but the transition temperature are very low (20K). General properties of superconductors
1.
Electrical resistance
The electrical resistivity drops to zero at the transition temperature. One can conclude that superconductors have virtually zero electrical
2.
Diamagnetic property
placed in an uniform magnetic field (whose value is smaller than the c r i t i c a l magnetic field Hc ), is cooled below 'Tc ' the magnetic flux inside the
82 material is excluded from the material (fig 1.7). EFFECT. This is called MEISSNER
Thus a material can behave as a superconductor only when i) ii) the resistivity of the material should be zero and the magnetic induction in the material should be zero when it is placed in an uniform magnetic field.
Fig 7.7
Both
the
are two
independent conditions
to
each
other
and
to exist
get in
should
simultaneously
superconductivity
can
be
destroyed
by
the
application
of
At any temperature, the minimum field required to is called field critical depends field (Hc ) of the material. the temperature of Thus the
value
critical
upon
Fig 7.8 From the fig. 7.8 material increases, the The one can know that when the temperature of the value value of of the the critical will magnetic be field for decreases different
correspondingly. materials.
field
different
84 Table 1.1 Material Al Co Hg Pb SUPERCONDUCTORS Ho ampere/metre X 103 7.9 2.4 33.0 64.0 AND THEIR CRITICAL FIELD Ho ampere/metre X 103 24.5 59.0 1.4 18.1
Material Sn Ba Bi 3 Ca Si 2 Nb 3 Sn
4.
T h e s u per
conductive
properties
of
conductors
disappear
when
through a conductor it will set up the magnetic field which destroys the superconducting wire. I c = 2p r H c Where I c is the critical current and 'r' is the radius of the wire. 5. Effect of pressure state. According to Silsbee's rule, for a superconducting
By applying very high pressure, we can bring Tc of a material nearer to room temperature i.e. if we increase the pressure on the material, T a l s o c increases. Tc is directly proportional to pressure at very high pressures. Researches are going on to get superconducting state at room temperatures by applying very high pressures.
6.
Isotope effect Maxwell found that the transition temperatures are inversely
proportional to the square roots of the atomic weights of the isotopes of a single superconductor. M
a
Thus,
Tc = a constant
atomic weights of isotopes of mercury are from 199.5 to 203.4 atomic mass units. Therefore their transition temperatures are also from 4.185 K to 4.146
K respectively.
Types
of
superconductors
Based on the value of superconducting transition temperature we have 1. 2. High 1 It High Low temperature temperature superconductors superconductors Low Temperature low superconductors transition
conducting 1 It 100K)
has
superconducting
transition 2
Super conductivity is obtained by the 2 Superconductivity hole states. Dislocations also increase
formation of cooper pair having two electrons with equal and opposite
spins and momenta. 3 It does not obey B.C.S. theory. High 3 It can be explained only from BCS temperature explained superconductivity from resonance can be theory.
valence
bond (RVB) theory only. 4 It is very useful for commercial and 4 It other high applications because these have is not of so ultra useful, low due to
maintaining (20 K)
temperature
temperatures conductors
produce
magnetic fields. 5 It is called p- type due to the from super conductor 5 It of due is called to n- t y p e s u p e r c o n d u c t o r the formation from of
formation holes.
superconductivity
cooper pairs
Based on critical magnetic field, there are two types of superconductors i. Type I (soft) superconductors
Type 1.
Superconductors
effect or perfect diamagnetism. i.e., above the critical field Hc , the specimen is a normal conductor. Below the critical field, the specimen excludes all the magnetic lines of force inside the specimen or it will become a diamagnetic material
2. 3. 4.
These are also called soft superconductors The values of Hc , are always too low for these materials. Example: A1, Zn, Ga.
applied external magnetic field and Magnetic filed produced by the induced
Type
II
Superconductors
87 1. Type II Superconductors are the superconductors in which the magnetic to penetrate the specimen at a field Hc 1 electrical which is lower than
flux starts
critical field Hc . The specimen is in a mixed state between Hc 1 and Hc2 a n d i t has superconducting properties upto Hc 2 . Above Hc 2 the specimen is a normal conductor (fugure 1.9 (b).
2. large
Type II superconductors are called hard superconductors which have a amount of magnetic hysteresis induced by mechanical treatment.
Solenoids wound with wire of a hard superconductors can produce field over 100 kilo tesla.
3.
4.
and this region is called vortex region. In this region the magnetic flux lines gradually penetrate the specimen as the magnetic field is increased beyond Hc 1 . 5. H e a v y c o l d - worked density and and fine recovery grains annealed are used materials for having type high II
dislocation
making
superconductors.
6.
High
Temperature
superconductors
Sodium tungsten bronzes and barium lead bismuth oxides are important intermetallic compounds with high superconducting transition temperatures
(20K). In Bell Laboratory, during the end of 1986, it was detected that a crystalline complex of lanthanum, strontinum and copper grown in an
atmosphere of oxygen has the highest superconducting transition temperature, 3 7 K . F o llowing the Bell Laboratory discovery , the Chinese group of
After that C.W. Chu and his collaborators of university of Houst n, o U.S.A. found stable superconductivity at 90K in yttrium barium- copper oxide compounds. at operating Detection of super much conductivity above 130 especially K has in yttrium performed complexes recently.
temperature
been
Now the stable and reproducing superconducting state is observed at a high transition temperature state around at room 165K. Researches are going on to get the
superconducting
temperature
conditions.
T1 2 Ba 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O y , L a 2 - x Sr x CuO 4 , Y B a 2 Cu 3 O 7 - y Here
the value of x is less than 0.2. Further the value of y is a variable one
and depends upon the stability of the system. The rare earth oxide systems, l i k e L a - Sr=Cu=O and Y- Ba- Cu- O have so far been found to have stable
Recently T. Ogushi and his associates from Japan have reported in LaSr- Nb- O 255K.Some system scientists (without copper) that shows superconductivity upto
believe that this copperless Y- Sr- Nb- O or La- Sr- Nb- O real room temperature superconductors.
New oxide superconductors having Tc>90K without rare earth element New oxide superconductors with above 90K transition temperatures
have been discovered in 1998. The newer compounds are still layered copper oxide materials, but they do not contain rare earth elements. In place of yttrium or other rare earths, the compounds contain metals like bismuth thallium. Thus they contain four metallic elements instead of three. or For
Similarly
bismuth- strontium
calcium-
copper
oxide
has
the
Preparation
and
characteristic
of
high
temperature
ceramics
superconductors
The
new
ceramic
oxide
superconductors
like
yttium
barium
copper
oxide, Lanthenam barium copper oxide, Neodymium barium copper oxide and T h a l i u m b a r i u m copper higher magnets critical having fields higher oxide and are all are types used II to superconductors manufacture which have
hence
superconducting
strengths.
Let
us
see by
the the
preparation
of
yttrium
barium
copper
oxide
'Shake the
and Bake' method. This method involves a chemicals 2. Calcination and 4. (initial The firing) 3.
process:
1.Mixing firing
intermediate
(oxygen
annealing)
final
oxygen
annealing.
1.
Mixing
the
Chemicals
The powders of yttrium oxide, barium carbonate and cupric oxide are taken such that 11.29 gram of Y2 O 3 , 39.47 gram of BaCO3 and 28.86 gram CuO so that the atomic ratios of yttrium, barium and copper are 1:2:3. A mortar with pestle is used to grind down any lumps or large particles in the
powders. Then the powder mixture is shaken vigorously in a capped jar or stoppered flask for several minutes.
2.
Calcination
90 After the powders are thoroughly mixed, they are kept in an alumina crucible and heated in a furnace of about 950o C for about 18 hours. following chemical reaction takes place. The
Y Ba2 C u 3 O 6 . 5 + 2CO2
This initial heat treatment is called calcinations and results in a porous dark gray or black clump and the basic crystal structure is developed. T h e material formed will be shrinked and becomes much denser than the original powder mix. 3. Intermediate Firing
The porous black clump is ground into a fine powder and placed in the furnace. After the furnace temperature reaches about 500o C, a slow flow of oxygen into the furnace is maintained. This heat treatment under oxygen flow is called oxygen for 18 annealing. hours at The oxygen The flow should be maintained of in 950o C a 950o C.
constantrate
maximum
temperature
should be reached in an hour. After this firing, the cooling rate must be no more than 100o C per hour upto 400o C and the oxygen flow is also maintained. By this manner the oxygen content of each crystal unit is increased from 6.5 atoms to 7 atoms and the chemical formula for the material becomes YBa2 , Cu 3 O 7 . At 400o C, the supply of oxygen is cutoff and the rate of cooling can be increased to 200o C per hour. Once again the material should be thoroughly re- ground in a mortar and pestle.
4. The final oxygen annealing The reground black powder is placed back in the alumina crucible. The powder should be as finely ground and as densely evenly packed. Now heat the sample between 950o C and 1000o C for about 18 hours. The cooling takes place in a very slow manner with adequate oxygen flow. The rate of cooling must be less than 100o C per hour upto 400o C. After that the rate of cooling can be increased.
Pervoskite superconductivity
91 It is found that ceramic superconductors have the unit cell such that one atom of a rare earth metal, two barium atoms, three copper atoms and seven oxygen atoms. In the superconductors the metallic atoms are in the ratio 1:2:3. Thus these new kind of superconductors of 1- 2- 3 are called 1 2- 3 is
superconductors.
The
electrical
conductivity
superconductors
based on the presence of oxygen atoms in their unit cell. The oxygen atoms have more vacancies and so they can accommodate electrons from other
atoms. It is found that electricity flows through the material by allowing thse holes to move from atom to atom in the crystal.
The unit cell of YBa2 C u 3 O 9 is a stack of alternating cubic pervoskite structures (figures 1.11 (a) (BaCuO3 ) : (Y Cu O3 ): (Ba Cu O3 ). But is not a which is superconductor when defieicient (or defect) cubic alternating oxygen superconductor. The unit cell of YBa2 C u 3 O 7 Ta = 90K is a stack of
pervoskite structures in the idealized sequence noted, arrows. The chains of alternating Ba:Y: Ba atoms which characterize the Y Ba2 C u 3 O 7 perpendicular to Cu- O planes with alternating oxygen defects shown in figure 1.11(b). So structures. the oxygen defects induce superconductivity in the pervoskite lattice are as
(Vacancies)
92 Applications 1. of superconductors
Electric generators
generators
are
smaller These
in
size
and
weight consume
when very
we low
conventional
generators.
generators
energy and so we can save more energy. The superconducting d.c. generators are available which have electrical power of 2500kW having very high
current and very low voltage. These are in small size with superconducting windings. The low loss superconducting coil is rotated in an extremely strong magnetic field. Similarly there are d.c. superconducting motors which are
used in ship propulsion and large mills where very high torques are necessary even at low speeds.
Electric
power
companies
look
forward
to
superconducting
transmission systems that would save most of the energy now being lost from conventional power lines in the form of useless radiation and heat (I2 R Joule heat losses). The electric cables are designed with superconducting wires.
Portable superconducting transformers with low loss are available for step up or step down a.c. voltages.
3.
Magnetic
Levitation
In
Japan,
superconducting
magnets
have
been
used
to
levitate
an
experimental train above its rails and drive it at great speed with minimal expenditure of energy. A similar magnetic propelsion system may be used t o launch satellites in to orbit directly from the earth without the use of rockets.
Principal
of
Magnetic
levitation
The diamagnetic property of a superconductor is the basis of magnetic levitation. A sheet of superconductors in the superconducting state is kept
below the horizontal bar magnet suspended from a flexible chain and then
93 lowered over the the loop superconductor. supporting below the chain magnet As becomes the limp magnet and approaches eventually the
superconductor, down in a
dropped the
which floats
horizontally
above
superconductor. The magnetic field due to the approaching magnet induces current in the surface is zero, of the the superconductor. persists in Since the the resistance of and the a
superconductor
current
superconductor
magnetic field due to this induced current repels that the bar magnet. When a superconductor levitates a magnet, a magnetic mirror image is formed in the superconductor superconductor such directly that there the is always a north pole induced in the
below
south pole is induced in the superconductor directly below the south pole of the levitating magnet. The mirror image moves with the magnet as the magnet moves so that the disk magnet can be given a rapid spin without affecting its levitation. In fact the magnet may continue to spin for quite a long time because its spinning When the encounters no friction air other is than the friction the of air
resistance. magnet
surrounding
pressure
reduced,
levitating
rises
higher.
of
permanent
magnet, a
the
supporting The
field
is
provided between
by the
solenoid field
earring and
current.
repulsion surface
magnetic
superconducting
having
persistant
current is the basis for magnetic levitation of trains and other machines.
4. Ore Separation High efficiency ore- separating machines may be built using
superconducting magnets which are also used to separate tumour cells from healthy ells by high Gradient Magnetic separation method.
Self Check Exercise 2 1. 2. 3. 4. Explain the BSC theory and RVB Theory What are type I and type II superconductors Explain the term meissner effect Give a few applications of superconductors
Type I super conductors exhibits a complete meissner effect or perfect diamagnetism Hc (Critical field is too low) (eg) Al, Zn, Ga
Type II Can carry high super current densities in high magnetic fields. (eg.Zr, Nb etc.) 7.3 Let us Sum Up Conductivity in metals and alloys is discussed on the basis of zone theory. Different types of super conductors, their synthesis and theories of super conductors such as BCS theory and RVB are discussed in detail
The variation of electrical conductivity with 'T' in the case of metals and semiconductors are different 1 concentration
ii)
iii)
Cooper
Pair
concept
explains
the
low
temperature
super
conductivity
7.5 References 1. Advanced F.A.cotton (1972). 2. Inorganic and chemistry (4t h Ed) Re print education Asia. 2002 J.E. Huheey, E.A.Keitar Inorganic and Chemistry Wiley A comprehensive Eastern Text (3r d E d ) . New Delhi
G.Wilkinson
Limited -
R.L.Keiter
Pearson
95 LESSON 8
CONTENTS
8.0 8.1 8.2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES INTRODUCTION MAGNETIC PROPERTIES 8.2.1 DIAMAGNETISM, PARAMAGNETISM & FERROMAGNETISM
8.2.2 DOMAIN STRUCTURE 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.0. LET US SUM UP POINTS FOR DISCUSSED REFERENCES AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The aim of the lesson is to study in detail, the magnetic pro p e r t i e s o f materials. fundamental magnetic materials After going of is through this lesson The you would of understand the types theories of the of
theories
knowledge different
selecting
magnetic
applications.
8.1
INTRODUCTION
When a substance is placed in an inhomogeneous magnetic field, it is either attracted toward the strong part of the field or repelled toward the weaker part. If it is attracted by the field, it is said to be paramagnetic, if repelled it is said to be diamagnetic. A Ferromagnetic solid is one that can have a permanent magnetization, after the magnetic field is removed.
Diamagnetism:
when
substance
is
placed
in
an
inhomogeneous
magnetic field, it is either attracted toward the strong part of the field or repelled toward the weaker part. If it is attracted by the field, it is said to be paramagnetic, if repelled, it is said to be diamagnetic. The force F with
96 which a diamagnetic substance is repelled when placed in a H and gradient dH/dx is determined by dH F = x VH dx Where x is called the magnetic susceptibility and V is the volume of field of strength
the substance. The magnetic susceptibility is a measure of the change in the magnetic moment of the atoms caused by an applied field. It is usual to speak of the atomic susceptibility x A which is determined according to Langevin's N 0 e2 xA =
2
equation. r2 .(2)
6mc = - 2 . 8 3 x 1 0 1 0 r2
where N0
is Avogadro's number; e, m, c have their usual meaning for an r is the average radius of the orbits of the electrons. Note that
electron; and
the right side of (2) is negative, which indicates that the force in (1) is negative. This is in agreement with Lenz's law that t h e m a g n e t i c flux
produced by an induced current opposes the change in the magnetic field which produces it.
In quantum mechanics, The Langevin equation is valid provided that the electron distribution is spherically symmetrical. Thus it is quite usefu l when dealing with inert gases, ions, and neutral atoms. The value of r is determined by the wave function, and since the susceptibility is proportional t o r 2 , it follows that the outer electrons make the largest contribution. The v a l u e o f x A , calculated using quantum mechanics, is in good agreement with the values found experimentally. For most elements, including Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, As, Se, Br, Ag, Cd, Te, and the inert gases, the magnitude of the atomic susceptibility lies in the range 10- 6 to 10- 5 , w h e r e as for Sb , Au, Hg, TI, Pb, and Bi it is greater than 10- 5 . Bismuth is exceptional in this regard; xA = 1.35 x 10- 4 in MKS units.
97 Paramagnetism: It is possible for an atom to have a net magnetic moment moments resulting and the from spin a particular combination of of its the orbit a l m a g n e t i c The unit for
magnetic
moments
electron.
measuring the spin magnetic moment of an electron is the Bohr magneton. eh = 4p mc = 9.27 x 10- 2 1 erg/gauss. ..(3)
If an external magnetic field is applied, the spin moments can line up either parallel to the field or antiparallel to the field.
The
magnetic
properties
of
many
materials
were
first
studied
systematically by P.Curie before the end of the nineteenth century. He found that the paramagnetic susceptibility xp was inversely proportional to the
absolute temperature. C xP = T Where C is the Curie constant and Langevin later applied classical mechanics is to characteristics paramagnetism of in the material and .(4)
gases
found that the Curie constant could be expressed theoretically N 0 m2 C = 3k where N0 is Avogadro's number k is Boltzmann's constant m is a average magnetic moment per molecule .(5)
It also follows from classical mechanics that, for free electrons in a metal, the Curie constant can be written n C = k
2
.(6)
98 where n is the number of free electrons per unit volume. By substituting (6) in (4) it is possible to calculate the paramagnetic susceptibility of any metal. The value obtained in this way is approximately 100 times larger than the values obtained experimentally. This is one theory of the properties explain of metals,
cannot
correctly.
The
total
volume and is given by M = XP H n M = kT Now, according to the Curie law (4), the susceptibility and, hence, the
2
H.
magnetization should vary with the temperature. Again, this is not the
Fig 8.1 case for many metals. The observedx weak and temperature- independent can be explained by applying Fermi- Dirac statistics to this
paramagnetism problem.
termperature is shown in Fig.2.1 by plotting the parabola- s h a p e d f u n c t i o n representing the density of states as a function of energy. In the absence of an external magnetic field, the electrons occupy all the available states
having energies less than the Fermi energy E 0 . They are shown divided into two groups, in Fig.2.1A, accordingly as their spins are plus are minus. When an external field is applied, the magnetic moments due to the spins line up either parallel or antiparallel to the field. Assuming that a plus de notes
electrons which have antiparallel moments, these electrons undergo a shift in e n e r g y + H, equilibrium, transitions to as shown of lower in the Fig. 2.1. This in situation the is not stable, states to the and at
some the
electrons parallel
undergo situation
energy
states.
shown in Fig.2.1C. The magnitude of the energy shift, even due to a fairly strong field, H = 105 gauses, is very small, H ~ 1 0 - 3 e V , so that, at room ~0.03 eV, is sufficiently greater to keep
the numer of electrons having parallel ands antiparallel moments very nearly equal. Not only but does also in this explain the the very small is value virtually of the observed of
susceptibility reasonable
why
susceptibility
independent
changes
temperatures.
8.2.1 Ferromagnetism. It has been assumed, in the above discussion, that the magnetic moment of the atoms was due entirely to the electron spin. This i s a fairly accurate picture for such metals as Li, Na, Mg, AI, and K. In these metals, the valence electrons are quite free to migrate through the crystals so that filled they and contribute contribute primarily spin moments, whereas the inner shells are
has incomplete inner shells, then it is possible that not only the spin moments but also the orbital moments can contribute to the magnetic moment of the atom. This normally leads to large paramagnetic susceptibility in accord with the Curie law. Such relatively large susceptibilities are found among the rare earths and the platinum and palladium- group metals. An anomalous behaviour is encountered in the case of Fe, Co, and Ni, which are paramagnetic at elevated temperature temperatures but become ferromagnetic below a transition
100 have a permanent magnetization after the external magnetic field is removed. This permanent magnetization was first explained by P.J. Weiss in 1907 as
being due to a parallel orientation of the permanent magnetic moments of the constituent atoms. The paramagnetic likened, therefore, to the disorder temperature, moments favours thermal agitation oriented, is ferromagnetic transition can be order transition. Above the Cur e i responsible below which for the more keeping Curie point the the magnetic energy are
randomly an
whereas in
ordered
arrangement
magnetic
moments
aligned in one direction than in another. In order to explain why an excess of magnetic moments along one direction is more stable than a uniform,
distribution, Weiss proposed that a molecular field exists in the crystal and favors such an alignment.
Heisenberg was the first to propose an explanation of this molecular field based on the principals of quantum mechanics. He treated the problem similarly to the Heitler- Londom treatment of the hydrogen molecule. In this treatment, an exchange interaction between electrons in different quantum
states is shown to lead to a lower energy for a molecule than that obtained by a mere superposition of the wave functions of each atom. Experiments have proven that the magnetic moment, due to the electron spins rather than the orbital moments, contributes to the permanent magnetic moment of the irongroup explain atoms. why, The in exchange certain forces, the therefore, atoms are have necessary electrons in with order to
metals,
parallel
magnetic moments. It is reasonable to expect that such exchange forces are negligible unless the atoms are brought closely together. It can be shown that, as two in atoms each the approach assume each other, the electron As spins they by of are unpaired brought
electrons closer
atom spin
parallel are
orientations. maintained
together,
moments
parallel
increasing
forces. As the interatomic distance is decreased still further, however, these exchange forces decrease until finally they pass through zero and an
Bethe that, fo r
the iron group, the conditions favoring parallel orientations occur when the ratio between one- half the interatomic distance in a crystal and the average
101 radius of the 3d shell is greater than 1.5. Some typical values of this for these metals are Mn Ratio 1.47 Fe 1.63 Co 1.82 Ni 1.98 ratio
As can be seen, the ratio for manganese is lightly less than 1.5, which explains why magnese crystals are not ferromagnetic whereas compounds
containing manganese atoms spaced farther apart are. Notable examples are the Heusler alloys Cu2 MnSn and Cu2 MnAl. alloys contain neither Fe, Co, or Ni) (Note that these ferromagnetic
According to the zone theory, two factors determine the energy of a crystal. The first is the Fermi energy, which makes a positive contribution to the total energy, and the second comes from the exchange integral and makes a negative contribution. A crystal then is ferromagnetic when the negative energy due to the exchange integral is greater than the positive- e n e r g y t e r m due to the kinetic (Fermi) energy of the electrons, which tends to randomize the spin directions. The exchange integral used in this calculation is
somewhat different from the one proposed by Heisenberg in that it is based on the electrostatic interaction between one electron and the electrons in an identical fictitious crystal having a hole in place of this electron. It turns out that this exchange integral is independent of interatomic distance and does
not vary too much from atom to atom in the metal. In order to explain ferromagnetism, therefore, it is necessary to compare the Fermi energies of different metals. Although only nickel has been examined in detail, the
r e s u l t s c a n be extended to show that the Fermi energy is smaller than the exchange energy in Fe, Co, and Ni. As expected, it is somewhat greater in the case of Mn. It should be noted that a small Fermi energy denotes a narrow energy zone, that is , a larger number of electrons having very closely spaced
energies. Thus this calculation supports the earlier partially filled d zones, which do not overlap in
102 More occurrence recently, of Zener has The proposed exchange a different integral, explanation as calculated for in the the
ferromagnetism.
Heitler- London model for the bonding of two atoms, is negative. Heisenberg, therefore, obly when was forced to postulate that the exchange integral was negative
the atoms were brought very closely together and became positive
when the unfilled d shells did not overlap appreciably. It has never been proven, however, that such a reversal in the sign of the actually occurs. Zener has suggested that the exchange exchange integral integral always
remains negative and that ferromagnetism is due to an interaction between electrons occupying quantum states in the partially filled d and s zones. The proposed interaction, which accounts for the exess of parallel spin moments of one kind, similar to the interaction (Hund's rule) that causes unpaired
electrons in different orbitals to have parallel spins. According to this model, a n o v e r - all decrease in the energy is obtained when the electrons occupying states in the d zones have parallel spin moments and the s- z o n e e l e c t r o n s contribute a small moment in the same direction. Because of the approximate nature of the calculations used to support the above stated competi g n
theories, it is not possible to decide, at present which one describes most correctly the interactions responsible for ferromagnetism.
On an atomic scale, the reason for the permanent magnetic moment of Fe, Co, and Ni atoms is best understood by considering their electronic
Fe Co Ni
The atomic moments of these metals should be, respectively, four, three and two Bohr magnetons. The actual values turn out to b e Fe Atomic moment 2.22 Co 1.70 Ni 0.61 Bohr magnetons
103 The no integral number of electron spins per atom determined from saturization magnetization measurements given above is explained by making use of the zone theory as follows: The 3d 4s zones of these metals overlap,
as shown for the case of nickel in Fig.2.2. Since the relative occupation of these two zones is determined by the Fermi energy E0 , it is assumed that 0.6 electron occupies states in the 4s zone and 9.4 electrons in the 3d z n e . O f o these, five must have one kind of spin and 4.4 the other, leaving 0.6 spin of the same kind per atom. The accuracy of this model can be readily checked by alloying nickel with copper or zinc. The substitution of a copper atom for a nickel atom introduces one additional electron in the crystal, whereas zinc introduces. Two additional electrons. It is reasonable to expect that these electrons will prefer the lower- lying 3d states of nickel and therefore, as more copper (or zinc) is added, the magnetic susceptibility should decrease. It has been
shown from saturization magnetization measurements that this is indeed the case; the magnetization becomes virtually zero when 60 per cent Cu or 30 per ent Zn is added, that is, when enough electrons are added to the 3d zone of nickel. fill completely
The
above
has not
explained accounted
why for
iron, such
ferromagnetic,
physical properties of magnets as, for example, the well- k n o w n h y s t e r e s i s loop, field. relating Even the before amount the of magnetization mechanism to of the strength of the was applied clearly
atomic
ferromagnetism
understood, Weiss assumed that a single crystal of iron consists of small regions or domains, within each of which the electrons have all their spins parallel, but that the spins of neighboring domains are not parallel.
104
Fig. 8.2
Fig. 8.2 Schematic representation of overlapping 3d and 4s states of nickel. On an average, 9.4 of the 10 available 3d states and 0.6 of the 2 available 4s states are occupied (After Slater).
When an external field is applied, the domains that have net moments parallel to the directions of the field have their energy reduced, whereas
those domains that do not have their energy increased. The crystal's energy, obviously, can be lowered if all the domains align themselves parallel to the field. This can be accomplished in either of two ways. Either the direction of magnetization of an entire domain changes at once, or a domain that is
favorably oriented grows in size at the expense of a less favorably oriented domain. When the external field is reversed in direction, all the domains must be reoriented, and , owing to several causes discussed below, this requires an additional field to overcome the factors opposing such reorientation so that a hysteresis loop results.
In turns out that magnetization is an anisotropic for example, it is easier to magnetize iron (body- centered
property cubic)
in
crystals. (100)
along
than along any other directions, and most difficult along (111). It is common
105 practise to refer to these as easy and hard directions sensitive of magnetizati n, o the easy
property,
directions in nickel are (111) (normal to the closest packed layers) and the hard closest The directions packing are of (100). Similarly, the easy direction in the hexagonal
cobalt is normal to the hexagonal closest- p a c k e d l a y e r s . of single in crystals their along certain directions For is invariably iron right
magnetization by
accompanied crystals
physical of
dimensions.
example, at
expand
direction
magnetization
and contract
angles to it so that the total volume tends to remain the same. In a nickel crystal, the dimensional direction and changes expands are in reversed; directions it contracts to it. along Thus the the
magnetization
normal
magnetization of ferromagnetic crystals depends on the way that the structure is strained, a phenomenon called magnetostriction. As might be expected,
magnetostriction is related to the elastic properties of the crystal and can be used to explain the formation of magnetic domains in crystals. With six (100) directions equally easy, it is natural that a single crystal of iron has domains containing magnetic moments aligned parallel to each of these six directions. Obviously, the domains must be separated by boundaries in whic t h e h
magnetic moments undergo a gradual transformation from one orientation to the other. The exchange energy favoring parallel alignment of all moments prefers favors thick a boundaries. It is opposed the by easy the magnetic of anisotropy, which A
minimum
deviation
from
directions
magnetization.
compromise between these opposing forces is reached, and it turns out that the boundaries have thicknesses of the order of hundreds of atoms in actual crystals. The domains themselves can have various sizes, dete rmined
primarily by the free energy of the boundaries, whose contribution to the crystal's energy decreases with increasing domain size, since the ratio of
boundary area to domain volume decreases. Lest it be deduced from this that a single crystal consisting of a single domain has the lowest possible energy, it should be realized that such a crystal is a permanent magnet whose
magnetic field contains magnetic energy. Thus the domain structure proposed by Weiss serves to lower the over- all energy, thereby ne u t r a l i z i n g t h e
individual
permanent
magnets.
106 When a weak magnetic field is applied parallel to an easy direction of a crystal, the domains having lower energies, because of their more
favorable orientation, grow in size owing to the reorientation of the m o m e n t s in the boundaries . The resulting movement of boundaries can actually be observed by sprinkling a fine powder of Fe2 O 3 on a polished crystal surface. The powder particles align themselves along the domain boundaries and a socalled bitter pattern is obtained. Several domains can be seen in the Bitter
pattern of a single crystal of iron shown in Fig.2.3. It has been observed that the movement of domain boundaries is impeded by imperfections and
proceeds in jumps. These jumps can be made audible by su r r o u n d i n g t h e crystal with an effect induction is even by coil connected to an if amplifier. the This so called their more
Barkhausen magnetization
more
noticeable The
domains effect
change
directions
rotation.
latter
becomes
107 In a polyerystalline material, magnetization is impeded by the random orientation of the grains. Consequently only some of the grains have their easy directions parallel in to the direction of the applied strains in field. their More over
magnetostriction
these
crystallites
produces
neighbors
which, In turn, affect the ease of magnetization in a more complicated way. Thus, if a material that is easily magnetized is it is necessary to Such find a it one material simply having does reaches desired say, for transfor mers, little not magnetic necessarily more anisotropy have rapidly. higher On is the an or
magnetostriction. saturation
magnetization,
saturation strong
magnetostriction
asset. This is so because, once such a material is magnetized along a given direction, it is more difficult to change its magnetization direction.
Self 1.
Check Using
Self Check Exercise 2 1. 2. Discuss the ferromagnetism of Fe, Co, Ni Write a note on domain theory
Model Answer Exercise I 2. b= exh = 4p x m x c = 3. xp = C T C = xp x T = 1.732 x 300 = 5.19 x 102 = 5.19 x 102 4.8 x 10- 1 0 x 6.627 x 10- 2 7 4 x 3.14 x 9.1 x 10- 2 8 x 3 x 101 0 9.27 c 10- 2 1 erg/gauss
108
8.3 Let us Sum Up Langevin equation is discussed paramagnetism and Caries law explained. Theories of ferromagnetism (for e.g., Zeners theory discussed in detail). 8.4 Point for Discussion 1. 2. 3. The curie The constant is characteristics of the material. susceptibility explain that is a 1 / T the is exchange due to an integral
are are
Zener's always
ferromagnetism ferromagnetism
is
and
interaction
between electrons occupying quantum states in and 's' zones. 8.5 Reference:
109 LESSON 9 CONTENTS 9.0 9.1 9.2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES INTRODUCTION THERMOELECTRIC PROPERTIES AND THEORETICAL CXONSIDERATION MATERIALS
PRINCIPLES
PREPARATION
AND
THERMOELECTRIC
9.2.3 APPLICATIONS 9.3 9.4 9.5 LET US SUM UP POINTS FOR DISCUSSION
REFERENCES
9.0
The aim of this lesson is to study the phenomenon of thermoelectricity and to learn the several applications and thermo of thermoelectric materials, After such as
thermoelectric
generations
electric
refrigeration.
studying
i) ii)
Understand
the
Phenomena
of
Thermoelectricity
Know about the synthesis and applications of thermoelectric materials like lead telluride, bismuth telluride.
9.1
The
thermoelectric
material
uses
the
Seebeck
effect
and
the
reverse
phenomenon, the Peltier effect. The Seebeck effect converts the heat from a radioactive and the heat Peltier and source effect directly are the into electrical energy. The of Seebeck effect
principal with
elements
science
technology
associated
thermoelectric
refrigeration.
An electric
potential
(Voltage)
is
generated
with
any
isolated
conducting material that is subject a temperature gradient, this is the absolute Seebeck effect, (ASE). The absolute Seebeck coefficient (ASC) is defined as the instantaneous rate of changes of the ASE with respect to temperature at a
The simple example of the way in which this phenomenon is used is to form a thermocouple by composed of two dissimilar conductors, or
thermoelements,
of a temperature difference or gradient, between the ends of the device will produce a voltage across its unpaired terminals that is a function of the temperature distribution. The resulting voltage is the relative seebeck emf,
'RSE"/ It results only from the difference between the internal potentials or ASE, within the individual conductors of which it is composed. Relative
seebeck coefficient is the variation of relative seebwck emf with temperature, i.e.
RSC
[d(RSE)/dT)]T . The seebeck effect is not affected by Thomson thermoelectric circuit. But seebeck effect exists as long as
or Peltier effects. Thomson and Peltier effects are present only when current flows in a
temperature gradient is maintained, regardless of whether current flows in the circuit or not . The greatest application of the seebeck effect is in thermal electric thermometry. This results from the fact that thermoelectric emf circuits obtained
this means is the RSE, which can be used to measure temperature. Thermo couples composed of standardized metallic conductors are widely used for the accurate sensitive, and reliable instrument and /or control of temperature.
111 Peltier showed that heat is liberated or absorbed when a current crosses an interface between two different conductors. The peltier coefficient, p AB i s the change in the reversible heat content at the junction of conductors A and B w h e n unit current flows across it in unit time.
p AB = p A + p B. p A a n d p B are the absolute Peltier coefficients of the conductors. The direction in which current flows across a junction and the values p A a n d p B determine whether heat is liberated or absorbed. The
peltier effect is a result of the change in the entropy of the electrical charge carriers as they cross the junction. It is not an emf inspite of the fact that p AB can be expressed in energy units involving volts.
For a constant current the peltier effect is proportional to RSC, and at any fixed junction temperature, it is proportional to the current. These
reversible effects are independent of the shape or dimensions of the junction. This is different from joule heating which is a function of dimensions, does not require a junction and is irreversible.
The Thomson effect is the reversible change of heat content within any single homogeneous conductor in a temperature gradient when an electrical
segment
of
conductor.
The
Thomson coefficient is the reversible change of heat content within a single conductor per unit temperature gradient per unit current flow. Thomson
The Thomson effect is not a voltage. But it can be expressed in energy unit involving volts. Let be the relative Seebeck emf generated by the
temperature circuit.
difference
112
The other energy factors in a closed thermoelectric circuit are Peltier effects and Thomson effects.
Peltier effect at the junctions. Heat absorbed at the hotter junction = Heat liberated at the colder junction = p AB (T + T) - p AB (T)
Thomson effect within the conductors; Heat absorbed in conductor B Heat liberated in conductor p a n d are peltier and Thomson show that for a unit current flow: dE A B dT dp AB + ( B A ) dT --(2) A = A (T) coefficient, respectively. It is possible to = B (T)
This thermoelectric
is
the circuits. It
thermodynamics relation
theorem
fo c l o s e d r seebeck
between
electrical
AB
~ dEA B dT
(3)
This devices.
equation shows
is why
helpful
in
understanding of
the
operation with
of large
peltier peltier
This
combination
thermoelements
PREPARATION
AND
THERMOELECTRIC
like, been
Bimuth
Telluride, and
antimony studied
lead
Telluride
synthesized
thermoelectric
113 accounts for its usefulness as a thermoelectric device. Bismuth telluride has a hexagonal cell, which is formed by the stacking of layers as; Te
(1)
Bi -
Te ( 2 ) B i T e
(1)
The Te Bi Te ( 2 )
(1)
Te ( 1 ) bonds are of vanderwaals type while Te ( 1 ) Bi and ionic covalent type. The energy gap for Bi2 T e 3 Sb2 T3 have been obtained by travelling
bonds are of
was found to be 0.16eV at 300k and 0.18eV at Ok. For example binary compounds of Bi2 T e 3 and ingot) in a quartz
heatermethod. In this method a molten zone passes through a polycrystalline ingot (source ampoule sealed under high vacuum. The
stoichiometric composition of the compound to be prepared (Bi2 T e 3 , S b 2 T e 3 ) . This method allows single crystals to be prepared at a temperature lower than the melting temperature and consequently of high quality. The transfer of the zone through the source ingot improves the purity of the material by a zone melting process. Single crystals of n and p type were grown by the traveling heater method, at different temperatures. In this preparation, the carrier concentrations on the p- type (~10 2 0 / cm3 ) are greater than the n- type. It is found that the change in type occurs at about 583o C. The concentration
of charge carriers is directly related to the concentration of inherent defects. These defects are responsible for deviation from stoichiometry. Sb T e 3 2 figure of
conduction.
Bi2 T e 3 is a more
material.
Thermoelectric
merit is given by the relation. Z= a 2 / ( lp), where 'a ' is the seeback coefficient l = thermal conductivity and P = electrical resistivity.
Z is a common measure of the effectiveness of a material to function in a thermoelectric couple for heating or cooling applications various types of 'Z' meters have been developed for the measurement of figure of merit of thermoelectric materials. By measuring a , l and P, one can calculate 'Z' for any material. For example Bi2 T e 3 ( P - type) has a 'Z' value of Z. 10- 3 = 2.2 at
114 582 o C . ' Z' has been found to be anisotropic. Along the 'C' axis Sb2 T e 3 has a Z value of 1.6 x 10- 3 K - 1 .
At present solid solutions of the compounds Bi2 , T e 3 , S b 2 T e 3 and Bi2 , Se 3 have the highest thermoelectric figures of merit in the tenperature range around room temperature. Lead telluride and alloys of Pb- Sn- Te have also been studied for thermoelectric characteristics.
power
generations generated
have in
been
employed
for
generating arrays
milli- microwatts a
miniature chip)
thermocouple to the
integrated nuclear As
into
semiconductor
microelectronic
multikilowatt
reactor
detectors
found wide applications as pyrometers and as sensor elements used measurement of magnetic, radiation, chemical and mechanical signals.
Thermoelectric generator consists of a large number of thermocouples connected electrically inseries to form a module the module is the basic
Heat from a variety of sources is applied to one surface of the module (referred to as the hold side) and rejected at a lower temperature from the opposite surface across (Cold the side/Heat module, power sink). electrical from Provided power a a temperature be difference to is an
maintained external
would
delivered is
load.
The
output
thermocouple
approximately
The
best
known
medical
application
of
miniature
thermoelectric
batteries is in the cardiac pacemaker thin film thermo elements, deposited on glass slides (Bi2 T e 3 + Bi2 S e 3 and Bi2 T e 3 + S b 2 T e 3 ) have been employed for power generation.
115
All of the currently available generators that operate on gaseous fuels (Propane or natural gas) are intended for stationary out door application. The output of these generators is fixed. The generators produce a constant amount of power. The thermoelectric converters used in commercial ther m o e l e c t r i c generators use either lead telluride or bismuth telluride.
heat
sinks
are of
usually
series
of
aluminium are
fins.
The
most
applications and
thermoelectric
generators
gathering
cathodic
protection
Thermoelectric
refrigerators (Peltier Cooling) are silent and have neither moving parts nor, gases to leak away. Thermoelectric refrigerator. of maximum refrigerators If the do not pollute generator coefficient the is of
cooling
performance
-1
1. 2.
Explain
Seeback
effect
How are peltier and Thomson effects are different from seeback effect?
9.3 Let us Sum Up See back, Peltier and Thomson effects are explained. Thermoelectric material defined. synthesis is indicated. of Thermoelectric materials figure are of merit Z is
Applications
thermoelectric
indicated.
2)
The seeback effect is not affected by Thomson or peltier effects. T h e latter are present only when current flows in a thermoelectric circuit. But seeback effect exists as long as temperature gradient is maintained, regardless of whether current flows in the circuit or not.
9.4 Points for Discussion i) Absolute seeback resistivity materials. ii) The utility of thermoelectric materials in power generation and would coefficient, decide the thermal figure of conductivity merit of a and electrical
thermoelectric
TMH Edition- Publisher Tata Mc Grahi H i l l New - New Delhi 2 7 2. CRC Hand Book of Thermoelectrics Edited by
D.M.Rowe
Ph.D,
117
UNIT I V LESSON 1 0
CONTENTS 10.0 10.1 10.2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES INTRODUCTION N- P- RATIOS DIFFERENT TYPES OF NUCLEAR FORCES 10.2.1 10.2.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 NEUTRON PROTON RATIO
NUCLEAR FORCES
REFERENCES
10.0
To learn,
how
neutron/proton
ratio
helps
in
the
understanding
of
nuclear stability and to understand the basic nature of the forces that bind nucleons together
10.1
INTRODUCTION:
The
packing
fraction
is
an
important
concept
in
understanding
the
stabilities of nuclei. A negative packing fraction implies exceptional stability of the nucleus and a positive packing fraction suggests that the nucleus is somewhat less stable. This chapter describes the other important concepts
10.2.1
NEUTRON
PROTON
RATIO
A review of the nuclear compositions and masses of various nuclides has revealed a number of general rules concerning the stability or instability
118 of atomic nuclei. Consider the variation with increase in mass number, the ratio of neutrons to protons in the stable nuclides. The results are plotted with the number of protons (z) on the x- axis and the number of neutron s ( A Z) on the Y- axis. A line is drawn at an angle of 45o , so that points lying on this line represent nuclei containing equal numbers of protons and neutrons. For elements of low mass numbers the neutron t o proton ratio is equal to unity for stable nuclei of the 18 nuclides with mass numbers through 20, there are equal numbers of neutrons and protons in eight and a difference of only one in nine others. This exact equality is to be expected from the similarity of (P- P ) . ( n - n) and (n- p) forces. To maintain stability the number
of neutrons must exceed the number of protons. For the heaviest stable 206 nuclides, such as 82 Pb and 83 209 Bi, the ratio of neutron to proton is slightly
greater than 1.5. Each proton repels and is repelled by, all others present in the nucleus. As a result the electrostatic repulsive force grows rapidly with increase in atomic number. The total repulsive energy in a nucleus is roughly proportional to Z2 /R, Z is the number of protons and R is the radius of the nucleus. R varies as A1 / 3 (A=mass number). Hence electro static repulsion is determined by (Z2 /A 1 / 3 ). For e.g., the repulsion energy of protons in 209 Bi, is about ten times as great as that of 40 Ca (N/P = 1). 83 To attain stability, the heavier elements should contain larger proportion of neutrons. The additional (n- n) and (n- p) attractive forces then compensate for the growing p- p repulsion.
Nuclei containing even numbers of both protons and neutrons are much m o r e c o m m o n than any others. Nuclei containing odd number of protons and even number of neutrons and vice versa are equally common. But those
containing odd numbers of both protons and neutrons are rare. Stable nuclei contain even numbers of both neutrons and protons. Those odd numbers are very unstable. Thus six nuclides
48 16
containing Mg,
28
both
40
O,
24
Mg,
28
Si,
Ca,
Ti,
56
Fe, constitute about 80% of the earths crust. Thus a pair of neutrons neutrons may be regarded as constituting a sub- shell, leading to
and
of
119 greater stability than would be the case for incomplete sub- hell i.e., with odd numbers of nucleons.
4 He is highly stable (2P and 2n). But 5 He and 5 Li which contain one 2 neutron and one proton more than 4 He expel the extra nucleon 9 Be,
13 13
respectively,
almost
instantaneously
C and
17
nuclides. But 9 B,
N and
17
four nuclides of the odd- odd type = 10 14 B and N. The stability of 2 D, has been attributed to the 1 3 5 7 attraction of neutron and proton, having the same spacial co- o r d i n a t e s a n d D Li parallel spins. In the other three stable odd- odd nuclides, the numbers of 2 6
neutrons and protons are equal, so that the extra, unpaired neutron and proton probably have the same spatial coordinates. In 27 Na Al, the one extra neutron, causes stability in these nuclides 9 11 13 Sn(Z=50) is the only element with stable isotopes (115, 117 and 119). F 19 23
If the atomic number is odd, the element has few stable isotopes, never more than two. In general regardless of its atomic number no element (with exception of Sn), has more than two stable isotopes of odd mass number.
If
there
are
two
isobars
of
adjacent
elements,
3
with
atomic
masses
which differ by a small amount, the one with the larger atomic mass will tend to disintegrate by b - d e c a y c o n s i d e r 3 T a n d He. The atomic masses are
3.016049 and 3.016029 amu, respectively; the mass difference is thus only 0.00002 amu, equivalent to 0.018MeV. But tritium is radioactive, since it has the higher atomic mass, decaying to form 3 He, with the emission of
b - particle, having a maximum energy of 0.018MeV. Consider for e.g., Cd- 113
120 a n d I n 113 and Sb- 123 and Te- 123. These pairs differ by 1 unit of atomic number. These pairs appear to be quite stable. The reason given for the stability is probably that the beta transitions are highly for bidden because of the large differences of nuclear spins. For e.g., the nuclear spin of Cd- 1 1 3 i n the ground state is , Whereas that of 1 1 3 In is 9/2 and the energy difference is small. It may be noted, however (isomeric state) the negative b - decay of a 'metastable' of 1 1 3 Cd with an estimated nuclear spin of 7 / 2 , has been
observed to the ground state of In- 113. It would appear therefore that Cd- 113 is beta active. In the pair Sb- 123 and Te- 123 also a similar situation exists. Te- 123 decays by orbital electron capture with a half- life of 1.2 x 101 3 years.
10.2.2 i)
NUCLEAR FORCES Packing Fraction: It is defined as : Packing fraction = Atomic mass mass number x 104 Mass number The following observation can be made when packing fraction is
plotted
low mass number, apart from (He- 4 ) , C - 12 and 0- 16), but it decreases rapidly w i t h m ass number. Then after passing through a flat minimum, the packing fraction begins to increase slowly but steadily. Negative packing fraction
implies exceptional nuclear stability. On the other hand a positive packing fraction suggests that the nucleus is somewhat less stable. Nuclides He- 4 , C 12 and 0- 16are very stable. Elements of high mass numbers having positive packing fractions are unstable and radioactive.
Determination
of
Binding
Energies
Binding energy is a more important concept in understanding n u c l e a r stabilities. True mass defect is obtained as follows: True Mass defect = (ZmH + (A- Z)m n )- M
121 Zm H is the mass of the protons and (A- Z)m n gives the mass of neutrons. M is the experimentally determined atomic mass. The mass defect may be regarded as the loss of mass or more correctly the mass which would be converted into energy, if a particular atom were to be assembled from a given numbers of electrons, protons and neutrons. The same amount of energ y would be
atom into its constituent particles. Therefore the mass defect is taken as a measure of 'binding
Hence binding energy in MeV, is given by= Binding energy = 931.4[ZmH + (A- Z)m n - M]- MeV. The masses of the proton and of the neutron are respectively 1.007825 and 1.008665, amu. the atomic mass of 20 Ne, is 19.992440amu. A is 20 and Z=10. Therefore the binding 10 = 931.4[(10 x 1.007825) + (10 x 1.008665) 19.992440] = 160.6 MeV . 160.6/20 =- 8.0 (B.E per nucleon)
energy is
Calculate the binding energy for 209 83 masses for protons and neutrons. The atomic mass of this isotope is 208.9804 and also the B.E per nucleon.
He are very low, but over a very considerable range of mass numbers, the
binding energy per nucleon is close to 8MeV. As mass number increases, the binding energy decreases to 7.6MeVper nucleon (say for Uranium). It is this diminution in binding energy which is the fundamental cause of the release of energy in the fission of nuclei of high mass number. Calculation of mean binding energy per nucleon indicate that - decay is common among elements with mass numbers exceeding 210.
We have to understand the nature of forces which bind together the protons and neutrons in the nucleus. These forces are fundamentally different from the more familiar gravitational and electrostatic forces of attraction as well as from weak interactions involved in beta decay. The nucleon forces are known as short range forces, operating over very short distances only, of the order o f 1 0 - 1 3 cm. number of The binding This is energy attributed is to approximately the proportional character to of the the
nucleons.
saturation
forces between nucleons that is to say each nucleon attracts those in its immediate neighbourhood, but is relatively indifferent to the others. Thus the
Each molecule in the drop attracts those with which it is in contact but has no influence on the more distant molecules. As a result, the total energy and volume of a liquid drop are proportional to the number of molecules it contains. The same is true of atomic nuclei; the binding energy and volume are related to the mass number, i.e., the number of nucleons in the nucleus. The existence of (p- n ) , ( p - p) and (n- n) forces of attraction can be proved by consideration of a few simple nuclei. The relative stability of the deuteron made up of one proton and one neutron shows that the (p n) force has
appreciable magnitude. Tritium contains an extra neutron. Its binding energy increases partly due to (n- n) forces. He- 3 contains 2 D+ 1 H 3 He
123 1 1 2 contains an extra proton and its binding energy increases due to (p- p) forces. The binding energy of 3 T is greater that that of 3 He. It would appear that
(n- n) forces are larger than (p- p) forces. The interaction between two protons always involves a force of electrostatics repulsion. It looks as though that the attractive nuclear forces between two neutrons and two protons is essentially, identical. This result is referred to as the charge symmetry of the inter nucleon forces. The scattering of protons and neutrons by protons is studied with targets of hydrogenous materials. Such scattering studies indicate that
This principle is known as the 'charge independence' of the nucleon force. Comparison of binding energies of certain isobaric nuclides e.g., Be- 1 0 , B - 10 and C- 10 confirms that nuclear forces are charge independent.
I n B - 10 however, the number of (n- p) forces is different from that in other two nuclides. Theoretical considerations indicate that if the nucleon forces
are charge independent, there should be an excited state of B- 10 with the same binding energy, apart from electrostatic effects, as the other nuclei in their ground states. There is evidence that such an excited state of 1 0 B exists. The remarkable constancy of charge independent principle. nuclear densities is also in agreement with
Characteristics
of
Nucleon
Forces:
There
is
undoubtedly
an
attractive
central
force
between
nucleons.
There is a force of attraction acting along the line joining the nucleons, that depends on their distance apart. This force is independent of charge, on the nucleons and is the same for all three types of nucleon pairs, namely (n- n) (n- p) and (p- p). It is a short range force that decreases sharply at distances greater than 10- 1 3 cm. Its magnitude depends on the directions of the spins of nucleons. Deuteron having a nuclear spin of 'One' (I=1) i.e., the proton and neutron have parallel spins, is stable.
124 But diproton and dineutron, in which, the nucleons would have anti- parallel spins do not exist.
The magnetic properties of the deuteron can be accounted for only by postulating the existence of a 'tensor force' between the proton and neutron.
The magnitude of this force depends on the directions of spin axes of the nucleons with respects to the line joining the particles; but unlike the central force, it does not necessarily act along this line.
Another type of inter- nucleon force to be considered results from the interaction of the spin and orbital angular moments. Evidence for the spin orbit force comes from the scattering of protons by protons. The possibility o f s p i n - orbit interaction is also indicated by the success achieved in
arranging the nucleons in various groups or shells, in a nuclei. Nucleon Nucleon repulsive force also has to be taken into account. If the forces
between the nucleons were only attractive, with no repulsive forces , n e i t h e r the binding energy nor the nuclear volume would be proportional to the
number of nucleons. If the nucleus were to be stable, then there should be a repulsive force operating over a shorter range than the attractive force.
H.Yukawa proposed a theory of nucleon forces, based on an analogy with electromagnetic forces. The photon is referred to as the field particle of the electromagnetic field. Yukawa proposed that the (Strong) by interaction postulating
manner
an appropriate 'field particle'. He showed that the field particle could have a mass roughly 200 times the mass of an electron. Such a particle was
discovered in cosmic rays and is known as muon. But another particle heavier than muon was discovered in cosmic rays. This particle is known as pion and it is now called pi- meson.
The pion occurs in positive, negative and neutral forms and has a mass about 270 times the electron. It has properties like spin and parity which
125 qualify to be the field particle. The theory of nucleon forces based on Pi meson may be stated as follows. Every nucleon is surrounded by a meson field through which it interacts with other nucleons, just as a charged body interacts with other charged bodies through an electro magnetic field. The
pion then serves the same function in the meson field as the photon does in the electro magnetic field.
Interaction between the two nucleons occurs by the transfer of a pion from one particle to the other. In order to account for the existence of the meson emitting field, and it is postulated positive, that neutrons and and protons are continuously mesons
absorbing,
negative
neutral
pions.
These
remain free for such an extremely short time that they are undetectable and these mesons are called 'Virtual Mesons'. The meson has a mass of about 270Me. The uncertainly in energy corresponding to this is about 2.22 x 10 - 1 4 erg. Hence the time interval in which a virtual meson can exist without being detected is about 5 x 10 - 2 4 sec.
E x t = h/2 ;
t =
h 2 x E
The distance a meson can travel and get remain undetected is 5 x 10- 2 4 x 3 x 101 0 cm/s = 1.5 x 10- 1 3 cm (3 x 101 0 cm is the maximum speed of meson) This distance is close to the range of nucleon forces; hence the concept of virtual emission of mesons appears justified.
The force between a proton and a neutron could result alternatively from the transfer of a positive pion from the proton to the neutron and the transfer of a negative pion from neutron to proton.
126
Po
+ Pion Transfer
no
no + P+ Final State
P+
no
no + P + Final State
leaving the combination unchanged. In such a change from one nucleon to the other, the spin angular momentum is conserved. Experimentally it is known that the spin of Pi- meson is zero. (Neutron and proton each have a spin of ). The interaction of a Pi- meson field is called strong interaction. Coupling
constant calculations shows that for the pion- nucleon field, the value of the coupling coupling constant is about 15. It is about 2000 times greater than the
Repulsion has been accounted for by the transfer of two or three pions between nucleons.
i)
ii)
nucleon forces.
10.3 Let us Sum Up Packing fraction and finding energy calculations are explained. N/p
ratio and like different types of nucleon forces are discussed. Meson theory is also discussed.
i) ii) iii)
Packing fraction and binding energy curves. N/P ratio and the stabilities of nuclei Nucleon Nucleon forces- strong interaction pions and heavier mesons.
10.5 References
1) 2)
Atomic physics J.B.Rajan. S.Chand & Co, New Delhi. Source book on atomic energy Glass tone East- West press, New Delhi.
128
LESSON 1 1
CONTENTS
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES INTRODUCTION NUCLEAR STRUCTURE 11.2.1 11.2.2 11.2.3 LIQUID DROP MODEL SHELL MODEL COLLECTIVE AND UNIFIED MODEL
REFERENCES
11.0
To study and understand the behaviour of nucleus on the basis of different types of models proposed for the nucleus.
11.1
INTRODUCTION
The forces between the nucleons could not be explained quantitatively and hence several models have been proposed for the nuclear structure. The liquid drop is discussed point first of and view, then can the be shell model, The representing collective a and
diametrically
opposed
discussed.
the to
energies of been
and
volumes
of
nuclei
are
number has
constituent compared
nucleons, to a drop
(indicating of liquid.
the
proposed the liquid drop model of the nucleus to explain nuclear reactions on the basis of compound nucleus theory. According to this model, each nucleon
molecules in a liquid. Hence any excess energy of a given nucleon would be very rapidly shared among the other nucleons. The energy levels of the
nucleons are thus regarded as quantum states of the nucleus (or liquid drop) as a whole, rather than of a single nucleon. The application of the liquid dro p model in nuclear fission has already been considered. Other achievements of the model related to nuclear binding energies and the properties of isobars will now be considered.
calculation
of
Nuclear
Binding
Energies.
Since nuclear forces are of a short range character each nucleon will be held strongly by those in the immediate vicinity. But each will be unaffected by the others. As a result, to a first approximation, there will be an attractive (or volume) energy, proportional to the number of nucleons in the nucleus; in other words the energy term will vary approximately as the mass number, A. This energy can be represented as a1 A, where a1 , is a constant. This value of energy of attraction is correct when the number of protons is equal to the number of neutrons. But most nuclei contain an excess neutron. These extra neutrons are inevitably in higher quantum states, than the other nucleons and they contribute a smaller amount (Per nucleon) to the total bin d i n g e n e r g y . Statistical calculations indicate, the energy corresponding to this 'asymmetry effect' or composition effect, can be represented as : - a 2 ( A - 2Z) 2 / A , where (A2Z) is the neutron excess and 'a2 ' proportional to = - a 3 ( Z 2 /A
1/3
is
constant.
Long
range
electrostatic
forces due to repulsion of protons, decrease the binding energy by a quantity ), where 'a3 ' is a proportionality constant.
The nucleon at the surface of the nucleus will be less tightly bound than those in the interior. The binding energy is reduced by an amount,
proportional to the surface area of the nucleus. This 'surface effect' is given by the term = - a 4 A 2 / 3 ( A 2 / 3 is the area). The influence of even or odd- odd nuclei can be represented a term = a 5 / A + sign corresponds to even e v e n nuclei and sign to odd- odd type.
130
by adding all the above mentioned terms, the binding energy B.E can be written as: B.E. = a1 A a2 ( A - 2Z) 2 a 3 Z2 a 4 A2 / 3 a5 / A A A1 / 3
- - - - (1)
the five constants must be known for calculating B.E. a3 can be obtained from electrostatic obtained theory. The other four constants are empirical respect and to can Z be and
from
experimental
data.
Differentiating
with
equating to zero, 'a 2 ' can be calculated. a5 is zero for an odd- even or an evenodd nuclei, the two remaining constants, and a4 can be calculated from the known binding energies of any two nuclides of this type. The spin effect constant nuclei. a5 is obtained empirically from binding energies of even- even
Inserting these constant in equation (1) we have: B.E.(MeV) =15.75A 23.7 (A- 2Z) 2 0.710 A Z2 A1 / 3 - 17.8A 2 / 3 130 A ..(2)
The relative effects of the various factors on binding energy can be seen by performing calculations for nuclides of low, medium and high mass numbers. 40 Ca, B.E. per nucleon is about 8.52MeV. 20 The estimated binding energies for 40 Ca 20 50 120 Sn a n d 238 U are 92
342, 1019and 1805MeV, compared with values 342, 1026 and 1800 MeV, respectively derived from atomic masses.
Calculate
the
binding
above
The
Values
agree
well
with
the
observed
binding
energies
upto
three
significant figures.
For
elements is
of
high due
atomic to the
number, marked
the increase
decrease in the
in
binding
energy/nucleon
mainly
electrostatic by
repulsion of the protons. This is responsible for the a - particle elements of high atomic numbers and also for the
emission, of
liberation
energy
accompanying
nuclear
fission.
By plotting the binding energy against atomic number, of nuclides of odd mass numbers, a parabolic curve can be obtained. All isobaric nuclides whose binding energies are less than that of the stable nuclides, will lie on
the two arms of the parabolic curve. They will be unstable and decay in an appropriate manner. The nuclides of lower atomic numbers (on the left arm of parabola) For e.g., 73 Zn 30 31 b73 Ga b73 Ge (Stable) 32 would exhibit negative b - decay.
Isobars on the right arm of the parabolic curve have more protons and decay either by the emission of positron or by electron capture. 73 Se 34 33 b+ 73 As 32 Ec 73 Ge (Stable)
For isobars of even mass number, the results are different due to the inclusion of the odd- even (spin effect). For all nuclides with even numbers of protons and neutrons, the bindings energy is increased, and for those with
132 odd numbers of protons and neutrons, it is decreased. This indicates that no s t a b l e o d d- odd nuclide should exist. For isobars of odd mass numbers, the instability is greater and hence the half life should be shorter. In a chain of b - disintegration, the half- life increases regularly as
(stable) the half life increases from 2.3min to 5.3days as Cs is approached. For even mass numbers also a similar effect in noticed = 140 xe 54 16s 140 Cs 55 1.1min 140 Ba 56
11.2.2
This model is sometimes referred to as 'independent particle model'. It is based on the fact that there are specific numbers of protons and neutrons, generally known as magic numbers or shell numbers, for which the nuclei exhibit exceptional stability. This is like atoms containing certain numbers of closed shells of electrons. T.H.Bartlett indicated the possibility that nucleons
It was pointed out that the concept of nuclear shells could explain the magnetic moments of nuclei. Magic numbers of nucleons are 2,8,20,50,82 and 126. These apparently represent closed shells in the nucleus. Elements having the largest numbers of stable isotopes are those containing 20 and 50 protons or 20, 50 and 82 neutrons. Sn- 50 has ten isotopes and also three isotopes of odd mass numbers (115,117 and 119). The more abundant nuclides in the universe are those with magic numbers of neutrons or protons 16 O 8 40 20 Ca etc,
133 Nuclides containing magic numbers of neutrons, have small cross sections for neutron 126, capture cross (they are stable). When the neutron numbers are 50,82 or for neutron capture are much lower for 1MeV
the
sections
neutrons.
Similarly for thermal neutrons, extremely low cross sections for (n, ) reaction are observed, when the nuclei contain 20, 50, 82,or 126 neutrons. Excited nuclides 17 87 137 O kr xe lose neutrons 8 36 54 readily to get the magic number of neutrons. The alpha particle energy is exceptionally the magic large, number when the decay during product the (daughter nuclide), of belongs the to
category,
radioactive
decay
heaviest
nuclides.
The following also can be correlated with the special stability of magic numbers. 1) 2) High binding energy of the last neutron in such nuclides. The departure of the total binding energy determined from the atomic mass from that calculated using equation (2) 3) a particle emission among isotope of certain elements of medium
mass number. 4) The non existence of stable isotopes of elements 43 and elements 61. 5) The variation of quadruple moments with the numbers of neutrons and protons.
Hence the behaviour of atomic nuclei, can be correlated with excess or deficiency of nucleons, with respect to closed shells of magic numbers just as
134 the chemical and spectral properties of atoms are dependent deficiency of electrons. on excess or
In the shell model each nucleon is essentially independent of the other. The other nucleons provide the potential energy field which determines the quantum states and hence the numbers in closed shells. In the shell model the c o u p l i n g ( l - s) nucleons (magic concept is employed in different to account for the total number of
numbers)
j=l+
and
j=l-
(except
l=0).
Each
of
these
sublevels
can
accommodate (2j+1) neutrons and (2j+1) protons. For eg., when l =1, j= 3 / 2 and (2j+1) = (2 x 3 / 2 +1) = 4 nucleons with j = (3 / 2 ) and (2j+1) = (2 x +1) = (2 x + 1) = 2 nucleon with j = , written as (3 / 2 ) 4 and () 2 ; arranged in this manner each shell can have a magic number of nucleons such as 2,20,50,82, and 126 l=0 will have '2' nucleons l=1 will have 8 nucleons etc
The spin of a nucleus with odd mass number, in the ground state should 123 depend only on the odd nucleon. The nuclide Sb has one proton beyond 51 the closed shell of 50 and its spin is 7/2, as expected l=4 and j=l- = 4- = 7/2. The shell model gives a qualitative interpretation of the observed
nuclear magnetic moments, by relating this property to the j value of the odd proton, certain groups of two or three isotopes of odd atomic number and odd mass number have identical spins and closely similar magnetic moments e.g.
107 109
Ag and
The quadrupole moment is a measure of the deviation of the charge distribution, in a nucleus from the spherical form. of nucleons should have a sphericlaly symmetric Nuclei with closed shells charge distribution, and
135
For nuclei beyond closed shells, the quadrupole moment is negative. The quadrupole moment of an odd proton is not very different fro t h a t m caused by an odd neutron. The shell model predicts that a proton would
produce a greater distortion in the spherical charge distribution and give a larger quadrupole moment. This is a failure of the shell model.
11.2.3 This
Collective and unified model model differs in a fundamental respect from the independent As a the
particle model by postulating, a mutual interaction between nucleons. result of the collective or co- operative action among the particles,
nucleus behaves like a drop of liquid and may suffer permanent deformation. The deformation is not stationary. This travels around the nucleus producing motions which are equivalent to oscillations and rotations of the nucleus as a whole. the collective model requires a distortion of the nuclear core, and an When the shells, the
associated quadrupole moment, when the odd particle is a neutron. numbers of nucleons are in between the values for closed
collective model predicts larger quadrupole moments than expected from the independent particle model.
On the basis of collective models, the nuclear- rotational have been postulated. number. 220).
energy
levels
Consider the nuclei with mass number from 150 to 190 (and over They lie between closed nucleon shells, such nuclei, with large
For nuclei with numbers of nucleons, near to closed shells, the spacing of rotational energy levels are large. levels should also be considered. superimposed, like ordinary In such nuclei, the vibrat i o n a l e n e r g y
molecules.
Rotational energy values for Pu- 238 have been determined and are very close to the theoretical ratios of the energies.
136 The unified model of the nucleus is an attempt to combine the desirable features of both the concepts. According to this model the individual
nucleons move in a potential field that can be deformed, especially in the regions between closed shells. Because of this distortion, the order of filling
of the nucleon quantum states is often different from that required by the independent particle model. Other states have also been introduced to
Thus this model has been able to explain the behaviour of nuclei, such as magic numbers, spins, quadrupole moments, low energy excited states etc.
Self 1.
check exercise 2 Discuss the liquid drop model and indicate how binding energies can be calculated on the basis of this model.
2.
a) b)
Write an account of the magic numbers. Discuss the shell model on the basis of closed shells of magic numbers.
3.
11.3 Let us Sum Up T h e d i f f e r e nt types of nuclear models are discussed in details. Their successor and failures in explaining the behaviour of nucleus are also
indicated. Calculation of finding energy and the various effects involved is illustrated. 11.4 Points for discussion 1) Different types of nuclear models and their successes and failures in explaining the behaviour of nucleus 2) Calculations of binding energies and the various effects involved.
11.5 References 1) Delhi. Source book on atomic energy. G l a s s t o n e East West press N e w
137 LESSON-12 CONTENTS 12.0 12.1 12.2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES INTRODUCTION NUCLEAR PARTICLES 12.2.1 NEUTRON 12.2.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
REFERENCES
12.0
The aims and objectives of this lesson are is to learn, the discovery of neutron and understand a few other elementary particles.
3.1
INTRODUCTION
This lesson describes the discovery and properties of neutron. A few elementary particles such as mesons etc are also described. The primary
t o b e - rays. But Chadwick proved that the particle obtained in the above reaction was uncharged, with a mass approximately that of the proton. 9 Be + 4 2 4 He 6 12 C+ 1 n+Q 0
3.2.1 NEUTRONS
138 Since the atomic masses of the nuclides B- 1 1 , H e - 4 and N- 1 4 , a r e known the mass of the neutron can be calculated using the Q va lue of the r e a c t i o n . T h e a - p a r t i c l e ( H e- 4) obtained from polonium had on energy of 5.25MeV. The mass equivalent of this will be 0.00565amu 'Q' of the reaction in mass unit = - 0.00154. For B- 11, He- 4 and N- 14, Chadwick used the v a l u e s
of 11.00825 amu, 4.00106 and 14.0042 amu respectively. From the Q value and the other atomic masses, Chadwick obtained a value of 1.0067amu. For the neutron mass. 2 D + 1 1 From the reaction. 1 H + 0 1 n;
more accurate value of the mass of the neutron was obtained as 1.00867am. In the C- 12 scale the values is 1.008665amu.
I n t h e b - decay, a neutron is converted into a proton and an electron together with an antineutrino. If the mass of the antineutrino is zero then, 1 n 0 1 1 H + -1 o e
would involve an energy release of 0.782MeV. 1.008665 amu (for 1 n) and 1.007825 amu for proton ie., (1.0086650 1.007825)= 0.000840amu.
This
corresponds
to
the
energy
of
0.782MeV.
Since
the
energy
is
released in this reaction, it would occur spontaneously. The half- life for this b - decay can be shown to has been found to be be about 20min. Experimental values of half life 700sec. This is in agreement with the calculated
value(~20min). Hence it can be proposed that the free neutron is radioactive and disintegrates with the emission of an electron, leaving proton as a
residual particle.
139
Neutrons diffraction. In
like other
other words
particles neutron
etc) wave
should properties
exhibit like
relation l = h/mv.
Experimentally
neutrons
were
found
to
be
diffracted
by
crystals
like
sodium chloride, like X- rays. The energy 'E' of the neutron is kine t i c e n e r g y equal to MV2 ; l = h 2mE 6.627 x 10- 2 7 2 x 1.67 x 10- 2 4 x 1.6 x 10- 1 2 E 1.67 x 10- 2 4 =m (mass of neutron) l = 2.87 x 10- 9 E diffracted l would have to be 2 x 10- 8 cm cm, where 'E' is in electron volts
l =
For
neutrons
to
be
and
hence
Self
Check
Calculate the
141 X- ray diffraction depends only on the number of orbital electrons of the
atom. Hence it is not feasible to detect positions of hydrogen and other light atoms, by X- rays. In the diffraction of neutrons, however , it is in the scattering by the nucleus, which determines the extent of diffraction. In this respects, the effect of hydrogen, is quite considerable. Hence neutron
diffraction makes possible the location in crystals of hydrogen and other light atoms. Alloys of cu and Ni are studied easily by neutron diffraction. A fair yield of neutron can be obtained by (a ,n) reaction with
Beryllium.
2
D ( ,n) 1 H
and 9 B e ( ,n) 8 Be
have
been
largely
used
to
produce
neutrons. These are photo neutron reactions. Slow neutrons can be detected by their reactions with B- 10; 10 B + 5 1 n 0 7 Li + 3 2 4 He + 2.5MeV
This energy is carried off by Lithium and alpha particle. These produce considerable ionization in their tracks. By using a chamber of suitable and using enriched B- 10, every neutron entering the chamber can be counted by a counter.
3.2.2 ELEMENTARY PARTICLES i) Antineutron The antineutron, like the positron and antiproton, however would not be a constituent of ordinary matter. After the availability of a fair source of antiprotons, antineutron was discovered. When a proton and and antiproton, meet to mutually other, for annihilation although takes place. If the two particles come fairly close not close to be enough for annihilation from of this positive both to occur, to it is the
each
electric
charge or vice
transferred Because
proton
antiproton electrically +
versa.
part c l e s w o u l d i
Proton
antiproton
142 Antiprotons produced by means of Bevartron, were allowed to enter a vessel of liquid with hydrogen. hydrogen to About form three out of every thousand antiprotons the
interacted
antineutron.
The
neutron
annihilated
antineutron produced, and energy was released. A flash of light in a detector accompanied the release of energy. Although neutron is electrically neutral, it has the properties of a small magnet, associated with charge. It is possible that the neutron has some a spinning in negative an
structure
which,
electrically charged centre is surrounded by a region of opposite charge. It can be assumed then, while spinning in the same direction, the neutron and antineutron will produce oppositely directed, magnetic fields. It has been
established that an antineutron can exist so that there is an attractive force between antiproton and antineutron.
ii)
The heavier
existence
of
both and
positive lighter
and than
negative protons,
particles in
having
masses was
than
electrons
cosmic
rays
established. These particles were produced in the laboratory and were found to have a mass about 206.8times that of an electron.
and negative muons are singly charged particles. They carry a charge positive and negative equal in magnitude to that of an electron.
negative
muon
interacts
with
proton
in
an
atom
produc n g a i negative
neutron plus energy. If this does not occur within 2 x 10- 6 muon
seconds,
and antineutrino, and energy. Mean life time of a negative muon is about 2.3 x 1 0 - 6 seconds. Positive muon does not generally interact with matter. It has the same mean life time as negative muon. It decays to positron and energy. m+ ( o r m - ) e + (or e- ) + neutrino + antineutroni + energy
Pions having masses intermediate between the electron and proton were found in cosmic rays. These particlescalled pi(or ) Mesons have also been produced in the laboratory. They occur in three forms + , - and the third is electrically neutral, o . + is and lighter mesons (264.3times have that masses of 273.2times electron) (- )
h e a v i e r t h a n e l e c t r o n . o
+ and - mesons have a mean life time of 2.6 x 10- 8 sec (less than 100 times that of a muon) o mesons have a very short life and hence are not observed in cosmic rays. In the laboratory o was produced by bombarding Beryllium, carbon or other element with protons of high energy. Neutral pion has a lifetime of 10- 1 6 seconds. o decays very rapidly; all its mass is converted
K-Mesons or KAONS
Another
particle
having
mass
between
electron
and
prton. It is the
Kmeson or kaon. K- meson exists as positive and negative and in two neutral forms. The charged K- mesons have the same mass, namely 966.6electron masses. They have the same life time: 1.2 x 10- 8 sec. Each type of charged kaon can decay in six different sometimes with e or e
+
ways,
the
products
being
pions,
muons,
144 12.3 Let us Sum Up i) Neutron; its discovery and different types of neutron reactions are d iscussed Neutron diffraction method is explained. ii) Elementary particles like a) antineutron; b) muons and mesons; c) pions; d) kaons are discussed. 12.4 Points for Discussion 1) a) b) Write notes on: Neutron its discovery, reactions and diffraction methods. Different types of elementary particles.
12.5 References 1) Source book on atomic energy. Glass tone East West press New Delhi.
145
UNIT V LESSON 1 3 CONTENTS 13.0 13.1 13.2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES INTRODUCTION ALPHA, BETA, GAMMADECAY, NUCLEAR ISOMERISM
13.2.1 ALPHA, BETA- AND GAMMA DECAY THEORIES 13.2.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 NUCLEAR ISOMERISM
REFERENCES
13.0
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The aims of this lesson are to study and understand the theories
concerned with the decay of , b a n d particles. After going through this lesson you would be able to learn the existence of nuclear isomers.
13.1
INTRODUCTION
Radio elements either in the pure state or as compounds emit radiations quite spontaneously and without any preliminary treatment. In this lesson, the p r o p e r t i e s o f , b a n d rays would be reviewed and theories of concerned with the decay of these particles would be studied. In the magnetic field rays are not affected at all, the b particles are considerably deflected and
charged. The
- rays are also deflected in a magnetic field and the direction of deflecti n o indicates they are positively charged. Certain radio elements emit - particles which nothing are identified with Helium nuclei. Since outside the nucleus except
electrons
exist,
146 the nucleus it self. b - particles identified with electrons should also arise
from the nucleus. The emission of b - particles is irreversible and the b - decay gives rise to a new atom, which is different from the parent atom. Henceb particle cannot be extra nuclear electron - rays have been identified with
electromagnetic radiation ' '- rays emitted are of extremely short wave length. Any radiation of shorter wavelength, as at least some of the - rays are, must therefore come from nucleus.
Another type of radioactive decay i.e., by isomeric transition, has been brought to light by a study of artificial radionuclides, although it is actually an aspect of of of the familiar gamma ray emission. different known as F.Soddy radioactive nuclear predicted the
existence, Substances
isotopes have
having become
In experiments on the scattering of - particles, it was found that even the fastest of such particles from radioactive sources, having an energy of 10MeV, are generally repelled by atomic nucleus. It is an undoubted fact that radioactive nuclei emit alpha particles, hence such particles must be able to exist, at least for a short time within such nuclei. The interaction between a radioactive nucleus and an alpha particle (inside or outside the nucleus) can be understood by a potential energy diagram i.e., a plot of potential energy v s distance from centre of nucleus. The diagram shows increasing electrostatic repulsion of an alpha particle as it approaches the nucleus. The sharp fall in potential energy indicates the region within the nucleus. This implies
attraction of the alpha particle by the nucleons in the nucleus. The potential barrier represents a repulsive force. It can be shown that the force of
repulsion between a proton and a nucleus is less than for an alpha particle, whereas there is essentially no repulsion between a nucleus and a neutron calculations indicate than an alpha particle must have an energy of 25MeV to
147 get into the nucleus from outside. Therefore an alpha particle must have the same out of energy to escape from the nucleus.
In other wards a potential barrier prevents the escape of the - particle from the nucleus. But - particle are produced from radioactive sources with
energy as low as 4 MeV, and for no natural element does the - particle energy exceed 10.6MeVwave mechanics shows that there should be a
definite, if small, probability that such a particle from the interior will be found outside the nucleus. In other words, there is a definite probability that the alpha particle will escape from the nucleus even when its energy is less than that of the top of the hypothetical barrier.
It follows, therefore, that greater the energy of the alpha particle in a radioactive atom, the more likely is it to be found outside the nucleus. This is the fundamental basis of the fact that radio elements which disintegrate
rapidly emit alpha particles, of high energy and long range, whereas the long lived elements produce particles of relatively low energy and short range. An approximate value of the frequency with which alpha particles reach the
exterior surface of the nucleus can be obtained by dividing the radius of the nucleus expressed escape, by as the the the result estimated number would speed per give of the is alpha particle. by If the this frequency of
second the
multiplied with
probability alpha
frequency
which
particles
actually escape. The value of l (decay constant) will in general be larger the greater the energy of the - particle. mechanical treatment leads to a Using simplifying between assumptions, the decay the wave
relationship
constant,l
and the energy of the alpha particle. This equation is similar to the Geiger Nuttall rule.
3
Log l =
E o . B 1 is a constant for each radioactive series. The wave mechanical theory of - decay shows that for naturally occurring radio elements, the energy of the alpha particle must be at least 3.8MeV, if the decay constant is to be
148 greater than 10- 2 0 s e c - 1 . Thorium with a half life of 1.39 x 101 0 alpha particles with the lowest energy, 4 MeV. Assuming the radius of the nucleus is about 10- 1 2 cm and the speed of the alpha particle moving in the nucleus as 108 cm/sec, then an alpha particle would find itself at the exterior of the nucleus. 108 /10 - 1 2 = 102 0 time/sec. If the decay constant say for Th- C' is 107 s e c - 1 , then the alpha particle escape probability would be: 10 2 0 x escape probability = l 10 2 0 x escape probability = 107 then escape probability = 107 /10 2 0 = 10- 1 3 years emits
This means even with a very s h o r t - lived radio element Th- C', an alpha particle with an energy of 9 MeV, makes on the average, 101 3 escape from the nucleus. For Th the escape probability is 1/103 8 THEORY OF b -DECAY When b - particles the emitted energy a of b - particles is plotted against the number of is observed (Emax). From the energy attempts to
maximum
distribution it can be shown that the average energy of the b - particles from a given source is during emitted considerably the as b of less than the maximum indicated energy. the Energy electrons
emission
of b - particles
that
rays by radioactive nuclei must result from the a neutron into a proton by the and electron. of Pauli another
spontaneous suggested
process
was
accompanied
emission
particle, called a neutrino, this was assumed to be electrically neutral and to have very small rest mass, compared to that of the electron. 1 n 0 1 1 Proton + -1 0 electron + 0 0 neutrino
149 I n t h e b - decay electron and neutrino of process are the proton In remains to in the nucleus, for the that but t h e continuous the total
ejected.
order
account
distribution
energy
among b - particles
Pauli
suggested
available energy, equal to Emax, was divided between the electron (b particle) and the neutrino. Thus the difference between Emax and the actual value for any b - particle would be carried off by neutrino. If a spin quantum number of is assigned to neutrino, spin can be conserved neutron into a proton and electron (b - particles ). b - decay is an example of the phenomenon known as weak interaction in contrast interaction and to the stronger electromagnetic For are interaction and the no even barrier stronger exists of the in the conversion of a
between long
emission accounted
relatively
weakness
interaction between the neutron and proton with the electron neutrino field. POSITIVE b -DECAY: Nuclei having too many protons, for stability emit positive b - particles, called positrons. 1 P 1 0 1 n + +1 0 e + 0 particles have a continuous distribution of 0 neutrino
energy. The emitted neutrino shares energy with positron and also conserves spin.
Gamma
rays
are
electromagnetic
in nature
like
other
radiations,
one
might say these rays emitted by radioactive nuclei are merely the excess of energy radiated away in the form of quanta by the excited nucleus returning to a more stable state- Experiments indicate that this is actually the c a s e . T h e - ray emission is usually Owing accompanied to the by o r b of o r b disintegration, particle of a the
radioactive
nucleus.
emission
from
150 nucleus, from the nucleus becomes to excited another and of hence transition with can the take place
this
excited
state
lower
energy
consequent
emission of the excess of energy as a '- ray. If there are several lower states transitions may take place to these states giving rise to ' ray ' spectra.
''- ray spectrum has been experimentally observed. Certain atoms are known to disintegrate without emitting '- ray e.g, RaE emits b - particles without resulting product nucleus
is left in an excited state, which therefore returns to the normal state by the e m i s s i o n o f - rays. As regards the - rays associated with d i s i n t e g r a t i o n ,
there are reason to believe that the - rays may be emitted either before or after the departure of - particles.
INTERNAL CONVERSION OF GAMMA RAYS. Information concerning gamma ray energies has been obtained from the
phenomenon now known as 'internal conversion'. In emerging from a nucleus the - ray (photon) may produce a kind of photo electric effect with one of the orbital (or extra nuclear) electrons of the same atom. As a result, the
energy of the photon is transferred to the electron. The - ray is then said to be 'internally converted'. The electron which interacts with the - r a y p h o t o n is ejected from the atom with kinetic energy 'E- P' where 'E' is the - ray energy and 'P' is the binding energy of the electron in the atom of the element e m i t t i n g t h e - radiation. This is presumed to be the daughter element in the given disintegration. If the ejected electron came from the K- level of the atom then, 'P' can be replaced by Ek. Ek is the energy of the K- line of the characteristic X- rays of the daughter element. Hence kinetic energy o f t h e then kinetic
ejected electron is E- Ek. If the electron comes from the L- Level, energy of the ejected electron is E- EL.
As a result of internal conversion a number of groups of electrons having discrete energies are emitted. Because of their definite energies, the
internal conversion electrons are said to give a line spectrum, which is super imposed upon the continuous spectrum of beta particles. As a general rule
151 only a small proportion of the - ray converted. The fraction of the photons so have their e n e r g i e s i n t e r n a l l y called the internal
energy
converted,
The energies of the internal conversion electrons have been determined by the magnetic spectrograph. If to these are added the energy values for the appropriate daughter K,L etc., the lines sum of the characteristics give the X- rays of spectrum the - ray Ra- C, of prior the the to
element, For
should
energies Ra- B
conversion.
example in
the conversion of
energy of the electron emitted is added to the characteristic X- r a y e n e r g i e s (say K.L etc) of the daughter element (Ra C), the - ray the energies are
agreement
with
accepted
values
for the energies of gamma rays. For eg: Energy of ejected electron = 0.0368 MeV; 'L' line of Ra- C has the energy = 0.0161 MeV. The total 0.0368 + 0.0161 = 0.0529 MeV is the - r a y e nergy.
The measured
binding kinetic
energies energies
of from
the the
electrons, known
by
their the
observed frequencies of the characteristics X- rays are definitely those of the daughter and not of the parent. These facts provide clear proof that the
- rays are emitted from the excited daughter nucleus, which remains after the parent has ejected either an alpha or b - particles.
In expected. nuclides.
instances, type of a of
where decay
N/P has
ratio been
is
low, to a
position occur
activity
is
found
with
proton
being
converted
into
neutron
emission of a position, the nucleus capture one of the extra nuclear (orbital) electrons, which immediately combines with a proton to form a neutron, thus with a neutrino being formed at the same time. 1 P+ 1 -1 0 e 0 1 n+ 0 0 neutrino.
152
This process increases N/P ratio. This gives rise to a product with the same mass number and the atomic number decreases by one unit. 55 Fe 26 This process + -1 is known 0 e 25 as decay by orbital electron capture. The 55 Mn
electron is usually captured from the K- level, for such an electron is more likely to be found near the nucleus. This process is also known as K- electron capture or K- capture. Examples of L- level capture are known but they are not common. Due to K- capture, emitted. For eg., 49 V + 23 K- series of X- rays K- electron capture. -1 belonging If as a 0 e 22 to 'Ti'. This shows that vanadium decays by result of orbital electron capture, the product 49 Ti, this process gives rise to characteristic X- rays of the product nucleus are
nucleus is left in the ground state, the change will not be accompanied by - rays. The decay of 49V, by K- capture is not accompanied by gamma- rays. Such a K- capture is known as pure K- capture. In most instances, however the product nucleus is found in a high- energy excited state and the excess energy is given off in the form of gamma radiation. This - radiation is internally
converted; the energy of the gamma ray photon is transferred to an orbital, which product is consequently are ejected. produced. Thus It is characteristics possible to X- rays show that lines for of the
nucleus
positron
emission a minimum of 1.02MeV energy is required. If the energy is less than this value, then K- capture is In would occur. Positron several When emission cases of the is energy is less among have than the been
unknown K- capture
Study of radioactive decay of artificial nuclides, indicates a transition known as Isomeric transition. Nuclides having the same mass number and same atomic number, but having different radioactive properties are known as nuclear isomers. This phenomenon has been called nuclear isomerism.
O.Hahn found U- Z to be isotopic with and also to have the same mass number a s U - X2 . But both differ in the rates of decay. Later several isomers had been reported; for e.g., Br2 . When a target containing bromine was bombarded with slow neutrons, the product was found to exhibit three different half life periods of radioactive decay, Viz, 17.6 min, 4.5hr and 35.3hr. The reaction is o f ( n , ) type. The explanation for this behavior is as follow:
80
The difference between the nuclear isomers of 8 0 Br, and in fact of all other cases of nuclear isomerism is attributed to difference in the nuclear energy states. One isomer represents the nucleus in the ground state, whereas the other is the same nucleus in an excited state of higher energy. Frequently the transition from a higher to a lower energy state (associated with - rays) requires a very short time, less than about 10- 1 3 sec. The excited state then has an extremely short life. If the transition is "forbidden", the high energy state (excited state), referred to as 'meta stable state', will have an
appreciable half- life. This half- life varies from small fraction of a second to several days. Such a metastable state represents one isomeric form of the particular nuclear species, whereas the ground state, ie., the state of the the meta by lowest energy, represents the other. For eg, in the case of 8 0 Br, stable form is represented as 8 0 Br m . Nuclear isomers can be
obtained
various ways.
82 83
(Kr(d,P)
K r m and
80
Se ( , n ) 8 3 K r m
Three
types
of
nuclear
isomers
may
be
distinguished.
Isomers
of
independent decay each; isomer decays independently of the other with its
154 own particular half- life. In such cases transition from metastable to ground
52 71
state is highly forbidden e xamples: Mn (b + , 5.7days, b + , 21 min) Zn (b - , 4.1hr, b - 2.4 min) Cd(b - , 43 days, b - , 2.3 days)
115
The second class of isomers are called genetically related isomers. The parent meta stable state decays to the ground state with a definite half- l i f e , a - ray photon is expelled. This decay process is known as isomeric transition
(IT). In most cases the gamma rays are internally converted characteristic X- rays are emitted. The ground state decays to form the product with another half- life. Examples are:
44 80
The third category of nuclear isomerism is that in which, the active species are isomers of stable nuclei. The decay process now involves an
isomeric transition from the meta stable excited state to the ground state of the than stable 30 nuclide, stable accompanied are by the emission of - ray emission. More Examples, 8 3 K r , S r - 8 7 , A g - 1 0 7 , S n - 117,
species
known.
Ba- 137, are known to form metastable states of appreciable half- life. Isomers of short life are also known.
1) 2)
Discuss the theories of a n d b - decay The speed of the - particle moving in a nucleus is 105 cm/sec. if the 104 s e c - 1 , calculate the
radius is assumed to be 10- 1 2 cm and decay constant escape probability of the -particle. Self 1) 2) Check Exercise 2
Discuss the theory of - ray decay. Discuss the different types of nuclear isomers
155 3) Discuss the orbital electron capture. How are characteristics - rays
13.3 Let us Sum Up a a n d b decay and the theories of a , b a n d g- decay detail Different types of nuclear isomers and are discussed production in are
their
explained.
Internal
conversion
of g- ray is explained.
13.4 Points for Discussion i) ii) iii) The production of different types of nuclear isomers Internal conversion of - ray
13.5 References i) ii) Atomic Physics by J.B.Rajan S.Chand & CO, New Delhi 1972
156
LESSON 1 4
CONTENTS 14.0 14.1 14.2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES INTRODUCTION Q- VALUE NUCLEAR 14.2.1 IN CROSS NUCLEAR SECTIONS REACTIONS Q VALUES REACTIONS, COULOMBICBARRIER,
NUCLEAR
14.2.2 COULOMBIC BARRIER AND NUCLEAR CROSS SECTIONS 14.3 14.4 14.5 LET US SUM UP POINTS FOR DISCUSSION
REFERENCES
14.0
The aims and objectives of this lesson are to understand the calculation of 'Q' values of different types of nuclear reactions and also to understand the concepts of coulombic barrier and cross sections.
14.1
INTRODUCTION:
The
bombardment
of
nitrogen
by - particle
was
the
first
artificial
17 1 N + He O + H. The reaction energy corresponding to 7 2 8 1 such reaction is termed as the 'Q' value. The best value of reaction energy obtained for the above reaction was about 1.26MeV. From the masses and kinetic energies of the reactant nuclei and product nuclei, one can calculate the reaction energies. High energies are required to surmount the coulombic barrier. To reach the nucleus of an atom an particle should have energies
157
Nuclear cross sections represent the effective area of cross section of a single nucleus of a given species for a particular reaction.
14.2.1
nuclear
reaction
equation,
satisfying
the
universal
principal
of
M 0 , is the rest mass of the nucleus bombarded, M1 and E1 , the mass and kinetic similar energy, quantities respectively of the of two the projectile, of M2 and E2 and M3 and E3 viz, the outgoing products transmutations,
particle and the product nucleus. It is to be noted that the two sides of the above equation can be expressed in terms of either energy or mass.
Q = (M0 +M 1 ) ( M 2 + M3 ) = E3 + E2 E 1 Hence 'Q' can be calculated using the masses of the particles involved or by means of the kinetic energies of the particles. Q may be positive or negative, depending on the nature of the process. Thus, if Q is positive, that is if the process is accompanied by liberation of energy, there must be a decrease of mass the total mass of the products will then be less than that of the interacting nuclei by an amount equivalent to this energy. A negative value of 'Q' means that the en r g y i s e absorbed and there is a gain of mass on the nuclear reaction.
7
When
Li is reacted with 'H, the energy liberated 'Q' value was found
to be 17.2 MeV; hence the mass equivalent of this energy is 17.2 = m(amu) x 931 m=0.0185 amu ; since Q is positive, it can be calculated that sum of the masses of the products will be less than the interacting nuclei by 0.0185 amu
7
Li + 1 H
H e + 4 He
2 4 He loss of mass
= 2 x 4.0026 = 8.0052 = 8.0052 8.0238 = 0.0186 amu and this is close to the equivalent of energy
released.
This
also
establishes
Einstein's
mass
energy
relationship. T h e a t o m i c
masses of certain nuclides, either too unstable or too rare to be measured by mass spectrometer
17
methods,
have
been
determined
from
nuclear
reaction
energies.
nitrogen nucleus.
14
N + 4 He
H +
17
- particle and the measured range of proton, the nuclear reaction energy Q is found to be 1.16MeV. The mass equivalent of this energy = - 1.16/931 =
- 0.00124 amu. Since 'Q' is negative in this reaction, the total mass of the products will be greater than those of the interacting particles. The atomic masses of
14
reactants = 18.00567. Total mass of products 1 H = 1.00782, Q= - 0.00124. Hence mass of 1 7 O would be = 18.00567 1.00658 = 16.9991 amu
COULOMBIC BARRIER:
Nuclear reactions of various nuclei with charged particles involve th e electrostatic or coulombic barrier. It can be shown that at any distance 'd', the energy of the electrostatic (or coulomb) repulsion of an - p a r t i c l e ,
having two unit positive charges, by an atomic nucleus with 'Z' such charges (Z=atomic number) is 2Ze2 / , where 'e' is the unit electronic charge. It is
clear that the energy with which an alpha particle is repelled from a nucleus
159 increases with the atomic number. Hence nucleus having high atomic n u m b e r
would repel strongly an energetic alpha particle. Therefore alpha particles of energies in the range 20 to 30 MeV, would only be able to surmount the potential barrier required to react with nuclei of high atomic numbers. The application of wave mechanics, to the problem of nuclear penetration showed that particles could both leave and enter the atomic nucleus even though their energies G.Gamow are considerably that less than the the top of the hypothetical lower, barrier. but the
showed
not
only
was
energy
barrier
probability of penetrating it and reaching an atomic nucleus also increased, as the charge and mass of the incident particle decreased. Thus for a given value of the particle energy, a proton with unit charge and unit mass, is much more likely to enter the nucleus than an alpha particle, carrying two charges and having a mass of four units.
NUCLEAR
REACTION
CROSS
SECTIONS
The efficiency of a nuclear reaction can be defined in terms of the number of particles emitted (or of nuclei undergoing a quantity transmutation). The
known as 'nuclear
cross section'. when the probability of the process if high, the nuclear cross section will be large; on the other hand when the probability is low, the c r o s s section will be small.
If 'I' is the number of incident particles striking in a given time a certain area of target material, containing 'No' target nuclei per sq cm and 'A' is the number of these nuclei that undergo interaction in the specified t me, i then the nuclear cross section 's' expressed as sq cm per nucleus, is defined by: A s= No x I sNa is the fraction of the surface, which is capable of taking part in the nuclear reaction (Na = atoms/sq cm) cm 2 /nucleus
160
This also represents the fraction of the incident particles 'I' falling on the target surface. The number actually reacting is = sNa I and this is equal to 'A', the number of target nuclei undergoing transmutation. A= s x Na x I i.e., A ----- = s NaI
's' gives the effective cross section of a single nucleus for a reaction. The larger the fraction of the incident particles
reacting, the greater is the probability that the process will occur under the given conditions. The value (s ) of the nuclear cross section depends on i) the nature of the target element, ii) on the particular reaction under consideration and iii) the energy of the incident particle. The total cross sections for all processes in which the incident particles are removed, can be determined by a simple procedure. Let Io be the number of incident particles, in a narrow (or collimated beam), falling in a given time on the target material, which is on the form of a sheet of thickness 'x'cm, and 'I' is the corresponding number of these particles, emerging from the other side of the sheet in the narrow beam, the difference Io- I has been removed in various nuclear reactions then I = e -N x Io section.
s
- 'N' is the number of target nuclei/cc and 's' is the total cross it is possible to determine 's ' from measurements of the
Hence
intensity of the beam of incident particles before and after passage thr ough the target material.
Experimental
values
for
nuclear
cross
sections
are
usually
in
the
neighbourhood of 10- 2 5 to 10- 2 3 sq cm per nucleus. 's' may be as high as 10- 1 8 cm 2 /nucleus. The average diameter of the nucleus may be taken as 10- 1 2 cm and the actual in the area unit of of cross barn section equal to is approximately 10- 2 4 cm 2 /nucleus.
10 2 4 cm 2 . ' s ' i s
expressed
Nuclear
cross
161 A c u r ve showing the variation of 's' with the energy of the incident particle is called the excitation function, of that reaction. In the case of Cu 63 with protons in the energy range upto 35MeV, the excitation function curves show, that at the lowest energies (p,n) reaction predominates; at about 15MeV the (p,pn) and (p,2n) reactions start to replace the (p,n) process. The
cross section for a given nuclear process increases with the energy of the incident charged particle, provided there is no competitive reaction.
Self 1. 2.
Check
Exercise 1
Q has been to and to be 3.16MeV. Using this value indicate how you would obtain the mass of the neutron.
Self 1. 2.
Check
Exercise 2
cross section and Coulombic barrier are discussed in detail. The use of Q value in calculating the mass of 1 7 O is illustrated.
14.4 Points for Discussion i) ii) iii) Q- Value and its uses Evaluation of nuclear cross section Coulombic barrier
14.5 References 1) 2) Atomic physics J.B.Rajan S.Chand & Co New Delhi (1972) Source book on a atomic energy Glasstone East- West press.
162
LESSON 1 5
15.0. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 15.1. INTRODUCTION 15.2 NUCLEAR REACTIONS
15.2.1. Different types of nuclear reactions 15.2.2 Spallation 15.3 15.4 15.5 LET US SUM UP POINTS FOR DISCUSSION
REFERENCES
The aims and objectives of this lesson are to learn, the different types of nuclear reactions and to know how they are brought about.
15.1. INTRODUCTION
The
first
successful
nuclear
transformation
using
artificially
proton and the two helium nuclei are the alpha particles formed.
occurred to a detectable extent with protons of 125,000 eV ie., 0- 125 MeV, a value considerably less than the height of the potential barrier between a lithium nucleus and a proton, namely about, 0.45 MeV. Artificial nuclear
processes are (i) transmutation (ii) stripping and pick up (iii) fission (iv) spallation (v) fragmentation and (vi) scattering.
163
N u c l e a r r e a c t ion
is
represented
by
simple
method
for
e.g.1 4 N
'a ' p a r t i c l e
is called the incident particle or projectile; a proton is ejected (P) and an 17O, nucleus known as the recoil nucleus, remains. The general group of
i)
Transmutation
reactions
These reactions involve particles of energy 50 MeV. In the first step the target nucleus completely absorbs the projectile to form what is called, a 'compound nucleus'. Before forming the compound nucleus, the projectile
must overcome the barrier due to electrostatic repulsion forces. found that the deuteron is capable of initiating
several
transformations, through the formation of the compound nucleus, at relatively low energies. takes place In the compound nuclear redistribution of additional energy rapidly.
The average life of a compound nucleus, i.e. the average time elapsing between the capture of the projectile and the emission of a particle is estimated to be 10- 1 4 sec or less.
the compound nucleus, depends on i) its excess or excitation energy ii) the heights of the various coulomb barriers, iii) stability of the coil) nucleus. remaining (re -
general be able to escape from the compound nucleus, much more readil y than either, protons, deuterons or alpha particles. This is especially true
when the target nucleus has high atomic number. small atomic number, neutrons are more strongly
The energy barrier is not also too high and the ejection The compound nucleus can given rise
In these reactions the projectile has less than about 50 MeV energy. For a number of lighter elements (P, ) process is observed for eg 27 Al (P, )
20
14
N ( P , )
15
O,
19
F ( P , )
Ne,
50
Mn.
If
the
incident
proton
has
an
energy
63
in
excess
of
63
20
MeV,
62
the
compound nucleus has sufficient excitation energy to permit the expulsion of two or more nucleons.
88
Examples are :
Cu(P, 2n)
Zn,
Sr (P, 3n)86 Y.
If proton energies are more than50 MeV, more than three nucleons may be emitted. (P, a ) reaction is expected only with targets of low atomic
number, for eg. 14 N+ 7 9 with 4 Be 1 1 + H 1 1 H 6 8 Be + 4 1 11 C 4 + 2 2 H; (p, d) are more common with heavier Hc; rare case of a (P, d) reaction
elements and protons of fairly high energy, but they appear to be pick- up reactions not involving compound nucleus formation.
The deuteron is a particularly effective projectile for causing nuclear transmutations, because a relatively small amount of energy, about 2 Mev, is sufficient to cause its rupture into a neutron and proton. This small binding In the (d, p)
reaction, the efficiency of the process increases with increasing energy of the incident particle. Oppenheimer Philips mechanism, explains the ease of the
(d, p) reaction. According to this the deuteron behaves as a relatively loose combination of a neutron and a proton, since the binding energy is relatively small. When the deuteron approaches a nucleus, the electrostatic forces of
the positive charges tends to force the proton away, but the neutroni s n o t affected. If the energy of the incident deuteron exceeds about 2 MeV, the
proton portion breaks off and be repelled, but the neutron will enter the target nucleus. Then the If enough energy is available neutron may also be expelled. (d, pn) occurs. (d, p) reactions are observed with all
reaction
elements.
Examples : 8 Li + 3 2 Cd + D 1 2 D 1 48 210 Bi + 83 1 H 1 1 Cd + 1 1 H 1 H
7 2 Li + D 3 1 114 48 209 Bi + 83
115
2 D + 1
2 D 1
3 T + 1
method for producing neutrons with 14MeV energy. Other examples are: 6 Li + 3 209 1 2 D 7 Be + 4 210 54 1 n 0
2 Bi + D 53 1
1 Po + 0
(d,n) reaction like the (d,p) reaction, becomes a stripping process, that does not involve compound nucleus formation to any extent (d,a ) only with deuterons atomic weight. are observed
40 Ca
20
2 D
26
20 1 N e ( ( d , a ) 18 F,
38 4 K + He; others are 6 Li (d, a ) 4 H e , 19 2 M g ( ( d , a ) 2 4 , Na, ((d,2n), (d,3n), (d,2p) and ((d,pa ) a r e
also known when high energy deuterons (about 20 MeV or more) are used. Transmutation by 3 T:
c)
When tritons obtained by the action of 10MeV deutrons on Be, are used as projectiles, (t,p) reactions occur.
29 e.g., 27 Co +
3 T 1
61 Co 27 +
oppenheimer Philips mechanism. The proton present in the triton is repelled by the target nucleus, leaving the two neutrons to combine with the target nucleus to form a compound nucleus. In 6 Li (t,d) 7 Li and 6 3 c u ( t , d ) 6 4 c u a l s o the oppenheimer Philips mechanism operates.
(a , p) process was the first artificial transmutation studied. This occurs in common with elements of low atomic number. With highly accelerated a particles this reaction occurs even with elements of higher atomic numbers (above potassium) (a ,n) reaction: 9 e.g., 4 Be + He 4 2 12 6 1 C + 0
reactions have been observed with the heaviest elements, including uranium and artificial elements of higher atomic numbers with increase in energy of the a - particles, (a ,np), (a ,3n), (a , 4 n ) , (a ,3np) have been detected.
e.
Transmutation
by
radiation:
By
using
gamma
radiation,
deuterium
nucleus
could
be
disintegrated
2 D + 1
1 H+ 1 0 2
D nucleus.
1 Be + 0
e n e r g y r a d i a t i on, have been described as photo disintegrations or as photo nuclear reactions. of When lithium nuclear the by 17- MeV, protons of were the radiations employed, (,n) type. produced number A neutron by of the nuclei can be
bombardment exhibited
photo
reactions
removed from any nucleus by - rays of about 10MeV, energy. If the - ray energy is not sufficient, to remove a neutron, the nucleus may enter into one
168 of its excited states; the excess energy is then emitted as radiation. Such a process is described as (- 1 ), where the energy of 1 is equal to or less than that of the incident photon. f) Nuclear reaction with heavy ions:
Accelerated carbon ions and 'Al' target is an example of a nuclear reaction particle with energy heavy is ions. 2 7 A l ( 1 2 C, a n)3 4 cl and 1 9 7 Au( 1 2 C , 4 n ) 2 0 5 At. The relatively high (about 10 MeV) per nucleon, certain
reactions in which heavy ions take part are called transfer reactions'. 14 N+ 7 7 14 N 7 13 15 N + 7
N (Neutron is transferred)
14 N+ 7
10 B 5
13 7
11 N + 5
B (Neutron is transferred)
14 N+ 7
14 N 7
13 6
15 C + 8
O (Proton is transferred)
15.2.2
Fission,
Spallation
and
Fragmentation
Reactions
can
also
be
initiated with
by
charged
particles
of
high can
energy occur
neutron).
Fission
energetic
charged
particles
with many nuclides of lower mass number. Alpha particles of about400MeV, energy can cause fission of Bi, Pb, Tl, Pt and Ta and 200MeV deuterons are effective for Bi, Pb and Tl. The lightest element that is known to undergo f i s s i o n b y a - p a r t i c l e s is Ta (Z- 73). In the fission of Ta- 181 by high energy protons, the masses of the product nuclei vary from about 60 1 2 0 . T h e -
distribution of the products depends to some extent on the energy of the projectile particles. Another type of reaction, different from fission, but also leading to many different product nuclei, was discovered in 1947 by
400MeV protons or 200- MeV deuterons, many target nuclei do not break up into two parts of similar mass, as in fission. Instead such nuclei emit various numbers of nucleons commonly 10 to 20 and to a lesser extent up to 30 or more, singly or in clusters , leaving a series of products, with mass numbers lower than that of the target nucleus.
The
name
"Spallation"
is
used
to
describe
this
type
of
reaction.
Spallation is known to occur with many different nuclei from the lightest e.g, Mg to the heaviest using charged particles with energies of several million electron volts. With heavier elements, fission and spallation often occur at
the same, time as indicated by the masses of the product nuclei. In spallation most of the products have masses that differ from that of the product by up to 10 to 20 units, smaller amounts of lighter products. The mass with
distribution of the products is the only way of distinguishing between fission and spallation. 75 For example when arsenic ( As) is bombared by high energy a 4 33 38 particles ( He), one of the mirror products is cl, the net decrease in 2 17 the number of protons is 18 and that in the number of nucleons is 41; this particular mode of spallation is expressed as 75 As (a , 18Z41a) 33 38 cl. Some 17
75 38 As (a , 9 a 23n) cl, 33 17
but this is misleading as it implies the emission of 9a particle, which may or may not occur. by The mechanism is suggested accepted for . high The energy high fiss ion and
spallation,
R.Serber
generally
energy
projectile
enters the target nucleus and strikes a single nucleon; the latter known as the knock- on particle, may be ejected or it may strike another nucleon, which may in turn be ejected or it may share its energy with other particles in the nucleus. The incident particle may still have enough energy to strike or
170 possibly eject another nucleon, or again the energy may be shared and so on. This stage of the process is cascade in which several knock- on nucleons may
be expelled from the target nucleus. When the cascade is over within 10 2 2
sec or so, the remaining nucleus is left in a highly excited state. It is similar to a compound nucleus, but with a much larger amount of excess energy A . distribution of energy then occurs, over a period of about
10 1 4 s e c , a n d
several individual nucleons (or small groups of nucleons) are emitted. The result would then be a spallation reaction. Alternatively and simultaneously, after expelling a few nucleons the excited nucleus may split into two parts in various ways, thus undergoing fission.
In
reactions
of
some
nuclei,
particularly
of
24
medium
28
or
high
32
mass
number, with high energy particles, the products include finite quantities of nuclei with mass numbers from 18 to 32, e.g., 1 8 F, Na, Mg and P. These
are apparently too light to be fission either or spallation products. Reactions leading to the formation of such species are called nuclear fragmentation.
After the cascade stage mentioned above but before there has been time for the energy to be distributed in the excited residual nucleus, a relatively large amount of energy may be concentrated in a limited region of the nucleus. As a result, there is a rapid break up of the nucleus, leading to the formation of nuclei consisting of 20 or 30 nucleons.
-1
1. 2.
Discuss the different types of nuclear reactions Explain the oppenheimer Philips mechanism
Self
Check
Exercise 2
1. 2.
171 15.3 Let us Sum Up Nuclear explained open reactions brought about by different is types of particles are
Himer- Philips
mechanism
discussed.
Spallation
reaction
1) 2) 3)
Compound nucleus formation in nuclear reactions Philips- oppenheimer mechanism Mechanism of spallation reaction.
15.5 References 1) 2) Atomic Physics J.B.Rajan S.Chand & Co Source book on atomic energy By Glasstone East West press.
172
UNIT VI LESSON 1 6
CONTENTS 16.0 16.1 16.2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES INTRODUCTION NUCLEAR FISSION AND FUSION 16.2.1 FISSION THEORIES 16.2.2 FISSILE AND FERTILE NUCLIDES 16.2.3 FUSION STELLAR ENERGY 16.3 16.4 16.5 LET US SUM UP POINTS FOR DISCUSSION
REFERENCES
16.0
The aims and objectives of this lesson are i) To learn and calculate the energy released in nuclear fission and fusion reactions.
ii)
16.1
INTRODUCTION
fission up
nucleus, of in fission
interacting similar
with mass
a plus
projectile a few
nuclei
nucleons most
obtained of
fission that
process by
are
invariably But
important
caused
neutrons.
fission can also be initiated by charged particles of high energy. The neutron fission is restricted to a few heavy nuclei, whereas fission with energetic charged particles can occur with many nuclides of lower mass number. Thus alpha particles of about 400MeV can cause fission of bismuth, lead, thallium and platinum.
173
The fission process is accompanies by the liberation of large amounts of energy. The important point to remember is that fission, which is initiated by neutrons, is also accompanied by the emission of neutrons. These emitted neutrons cause a chain reaction to occur and more energies and neutrons and produced. Uranium can be split by neutrons of all energies, i.e, by slow, intermediate and fast neutrons. Fission of more abundant U- 238 neutrons with energy exceeding 1MeV, 233 U 92 94 239 Pu are fissionable by neutrons of all requires fast
energies. Fission cross sections are generally high for slow neutrons. Fission of Th requires fast neutrons of energies of about 1 MeV. Protactinium also requires fast neutrons. The combination of two or more of the lightest nuclei by a process of fusion, like fission, result in the liberation of energy.
Many reaction between nuclei of low mass number can be brought about by accelerating one or other of the nuclei in a suitable manner. These are fusion reactions, accompanied by the release of energy. The energy of the sun is due to the fusion reaction.
The
power
or Plutonium per day would be 1 mage Watt. To obtain the same amount of power by combustion would require more than 3 tons of coal per day or 600 gallons of fuel oil per day.
Before studying the theories of nuclear fission one should know the amounts of energy liberated in a nuclear fission reaction. In the fission
reaction we have to calculate the mass loss, in a nuclear fission reaction. But we know the energy corresponding to the mass loss of l a m u = 931 MeV.
174
lamu=
1 6.0225 x 10- 2 4
= 1.6604 x 10- 2 4 E = m x c2 = 1.6604 x (2.998 x 10 1 0 ) 2 x 1 0 - 2 4 E = 1.6604 x 10- 2 4 x (2.998 x 10 1 0 ) 2 g cm /sec2 x cm = 1.6604 x 10- 2 4 x (2.998 x 10 1 0 ) 2 e r g s (note g cm2 / sec2 = ergs) = 1.4924 ergs = 1.602 x 10- 1 2 ergs = 1ev hence E = 1.4924 x 10- 3 e v 1.602 x 10- 1 2 E = 931.4 MeV / amn
A l t h o u g h U- 235 splits in many different ways, the nuclei obtained in the greatest yield in fission by slow neutrons have mass numbers of about 95 and 139. The initial products are radioactive and undergo several stages of negative b - decay ultimately, after the emission of a total of seven beta
particles (electrons), the stable nuclides Mo- 95 and La 139 are formed.
235 U+ 92
1 n O
95 Mo 42
139 + La + 57 - 1
O 1 7b + 2 0
Some neutrons are always liberated in the fission process. The atomic mass of U 235 is 235 0439amn and the mass of neutron is 1.0087amu.
The total mass on the left hand side of the equation is 236.0526amu. The masses of Mo- 95 and La- 139 are 94.9058 and 138.9061 amu, respectively
175 and the mass of the electron is 0.00055amu; the total mass on t he right side is 235.8332 amu. The mass loss is equal to 236.0526 235.8332 = 0.219amu
~ 204 MeV
The actual process of fission is probably accounted for by the large value of repulsive force in heavy nuclei, and so it is responsible both for fission and for the release of energy accompanying the nuclear reaction.
The energy released in the fission process appears in several different forms. The major part occurs as kinetic energy of fission fragments and a substantial amount as radioactive decay energy of the fission products. In
addition, neutron and gamma rays liberated at the instant of fission carry appreciable amount of energy. Thermal neutron fission of U- 235 is far from symmetrical. If the compound nucleus splits into two equal of fragments, the mass of each is 117or 118, only 0.01% of the nuclei under going fission by thermal neutrons break up in this manner. There are 90 possib e m a s s l
numbers in the range of from 72 to 161, it is understandable that this may represent the total number of different nuclides formed as direct fission
fragments. The amount of symmetrical fission by thermal neutrons is about 0.02% for U- 233 and 0.04% for Pu- 239.
studies between
that four
for
each
atom were
of
uranium on the
neutrons
emitted
average. The average number of neutrons released per fission increases with the energy of the neutrons inducing fission. Thus in the fission of U- 2 3 5 b y
14MeV neutrons, an average of 4.5 neutrons are produced per fission. The average number of neutrons increases in general with the number and the atomic number of the fissioning nucleus. The great majority (over 9 9 % ) o f the neutrons produced in fission are released within about 10- 1 4 sec. These are referred to as prompt neutrons. A small proportion of fission neutrons are
176 delayed neutrons, which are emitted sometime after the fission process has taken place. In the fission of U- 235 by neutrons upto atleast 1MeV energy, 0.65% of the neutrons emitted is delayed. The emission of delayed neutrons is an important factor in the control of nuclear fission reactors. For thermal neutron fission of plutonium 239, about 0.21% of the neutrons are delayed,
THEORY OF NUCLEAR FISSION A useful approach to understanding the mechanism of fission is by means of the liquid drop model of the nucleus. It is postulated that, just as the
surface tension forces tend to maintain a liquid drop in a stable from which resists distortion, so the nuclear forces serve to keep the nucleus in s stable state. Only if considerable distortion occurs due to the addition of energy a drop of liquid can be broken into two smaller drops. Similarly for a nucleus to undergo only fission, if there must be is considerable available. distortion, This is which basis will of be the
possible
additional
energy
the
The
general
idea
of
the
proposed
mechanism
for
fission
may
be
understood by considering a drop of liquid which is made to break up into two smaller droplets, by the application of a suitable force. The system
passes through a series of stages. The drop is at first spherical, it is then elongated into an ellipsoid. If insufficient energy is available to overcome the surface tension, the drop will return to its original spherical shape. But, if the deforming force is sufficiently large, the liquid acquires a s h a p e s i m i l a r to a dumbbell. Once it has reached this stage, it is unlikely to return to the spherical form, but it will rather split into two droplets.
The
situation for
in a
nuclear liquid
fission
is
regarded
as
analogous
to
that
just
considered
form a compound nucleus; the energy gained by the nucleus is equal to the binding energy of the additional neutron plus any kinetic energy the neutron may have possessed. The excitation energy may then be emitted a s g a m m a
177 radiation or the compound nucleus could, if sufficient energy were available split in to one or more nucleons.
If the nucleus has obtained enough energy to permit it to form the dumbbell shape, (like the liquid drop), the restoration to the initial becomes very improbable. The reason is that the shape (spherical) repulsion
electrostatic
between the positive charges on the two ends of the dumbbell, can now over come the relatively small portion of the nuclear binding force, operative in t h e c o n s t r icted region of the dumbbell. Consequently the dumbbell shaped
nucleus, undergoes fission to two separate nuclei. The series of changes just described can occur only if it is accompanied by a net decrease of mass, that is, by an emission of energy. The state, consisting of two separate nuclei is then more stable.
The critical energy (or activation energy) required for fission to occur is the energy that must be supplied to the original nucleus in order to deform the nucleus to the dumbbell state. The repulsive energy is proportional to Z2 /A / 3 ,
whereas
the
surface
energy
depends on A2 / 3 . Therefore the ratio of these two energies namely, Z2 /A, for a given nucleus is a measure of the ease with which, it will undergo fission. The large the value of Z2 /A, the smaller the amount of energy that must be supplied from outside sources to cause fission to occur.
It was shown that if the electrostatic repulsion energy was more than twice the surface energy, a nucleus should undergo instantaneous fission. The
178 0.710 Z2 >2 x 17.8 x A2 / 3 A1 / 3 Z2 or A The closer Z2 /A for a particular nucleus is to 50, then shorter should be the half life for spontaneous fission. IfZ2 /A is approximately less thann 40 fission cannot occur at a significant rate unless energy is supplied to the nucleus; this is the 'Critical energy' of fission. For plutonium 239, Z2 / A s 37.0, for Uranium 233 it is 36.4 and for Uranium 235 it is 36.0, these are fairly high, but they are sufficiently less than the limiting values to require appreciable energies for fission. The critical energy for U235 after > 50
absorbing a neutron has been estimated to about 5.5 MeV. Similar values have been estimated for the other two fissile species. For lighter elements such as bismuth, lead and tantalum Z2 /A is about 30 or less and critical energy for fission is large. It can be understood, why fission does not occur with these substances.
Fission process has also been explained by potential energy diagram. In this diagram, the energy of the fragments is plotted as a function of their distance apart. The exact shape of the curve depends on the target nucleus. At the extreme left of the diagram, the fission fragments are supposed to be brought together (i.e,) the point at the left of diagram represents the energy of the target nucleus and an incident neutron. At the extreme right the fission fragments are at a considerably distance apart and their interaction is zero. This diagram is similar to the activation energy diagram. The top of the barrier corresponds to the state of critical deformation of the nucleus. If
fission is to occur then the target nucleus plus neutron (i.e,) the compound nucleus, must acquire sufficient energy to reach the top of the barrier. By
using neutrons of 1 MeV energy, the energy of the system is increased so that it now lies above the barrier and fission takes place. The critical energy depends on the quantity Z2 /A for the given nuclide. T h e l a rge the value of Z2 /A, more closely will the energy of the compound
179 nucleus, indicate approach the U- 235 that of the be critical fissioned deformation by slow energy. Calculations Whereas fast
could
neutrons.
neutrons are required for fission reaction when U - 238 is used U- 233 and Pu239 would also undergo fission by means of thermal neutrons. Their critical deformation energies are about 5.1MeV and 4.8MeV for U- 233 and Pu- 239 respectively. In the case of Th- 2 3 2 , P a - 231 and Np- 237, critical deformation
energies are about 6.0 to 6.6 MeV. In these three cases neutrons of about 1.1 MeV fission. energy Thus must be absorbed to produce critical deformation even leading numbers Np.237, to of with
which
contain
fissile
nuclides.
an odd number of protons and an even number of neutrons, and Th- 2 3 2 a n d U- 238 which are of the even- even type are fissionable species requiring fast neutrons to induce fission.
NUCLEAR
POWER
PRODUCTION
A large amount of energy is released in a fission reaction which is a chain reaction induced by neutron. Hence power can be nuclear reactor. produced by means of a (235grams) energy. by It
follows that the complete fission of 1 gram releases 8.2 x 101 7 ergs. It is equivalent to 8.2 x 1010 watt- sec or 8.2 x 107 kilo watt- sec. This is equivalent to 2.3 x 104 (Kw- h) or 2.3 x 104 / 2 4 = 0.96 x 103 kilo watt days. T h e ( h e a t ) power production corresponding to the fission of 1gm of uanium or plutonium/day would thus be 0.96 x 103 kilo watts, roughly 1000 kilo
watts or 1 mega watt. The same amount of power can be obtained only by the combustion of about 3 tons of coal or about 600 gallons of fuel oil per day.
The total number of nuclei 'A' undergoing fission per second in the reactor is given by the expression. A=nvNs V
180 Where 'n' is the average neutron density, ie the number per cc, U is the average speed, so that, 'nv' is the average neutron flux; 'N' is the number of fissile nuclei (U- 235) per cc, s square cm is the cross section for fission , a n d 'V' cc is the volume of the reactor. 3.1 x 101 0 fission per cc produce 1 watt of power, hence the power 'P' of a nuclear reactor in watts is obtained upon dividing the fission rate 'A', by 3.1 x 101 0 (ie)
nuNs V P= . (1) 3.1 x 101 0 The product 'NV' is equal to the total number of fissile nuclei in the reactor and this is related to the mass 'm' grams by 235 x N x V m= the atomic 6.02 x 102 3 where 235 is Watts
weight of U- 235. The fission cross section s of U- 235, for thermal neutrons is 577 barns (ie) 577 x 10- 2 4 c m 2 and upon inserting these values in equation (1), we have, P= 4.8 x 10- 1 1 m n
This
equation
shows
that
the
power
output
of
given
reactor,
containing a definite amount of fissile material, is proportional to the neutron flux- nv. Therefore reactor power is generally determined by measuring the appropriate neutron flux, by means of a suitably calibrated instrument. In the to
reactor the chain reaction has to be controlled. Controls are necessary prevent the chain reaction from becoming too violent. Once the
desired
energy level is reached, control rods of Cd, boron steel or other material with a l a r g e capture cross section for slow neutrons are used. These rods are inserted in the reactor to such a depth as will permit them to absorb all excess neutrons. In other level, words, the when rods the serve reactor to has reached the a
predetermined
power
control
keep
effective
181 controls are partially removed, the multiplication factor then exceeds unity
and then neutron flux increases. When this attains the desired value the controls are inserted to the
When the shutting down the reactor, the control rods are inserted to a considerable depth, the rods then capture so many neutrons than the effective multiplication factor becomes less than unity. Then neutron flus thus
decreases and the nuclear chain reaction then is no longer maintained. A reactor consists of an active core in which the fission chain is maintained and in which most of the energy of fission is released, as heat. The core contains the fissile material in a suitable form i.e the reactor fuel, and also a
moderator if it is required to slow down the neutrons. The relative amounts of and nature of the fuel and moderator determine the energy of the neutrons
causing most of the fission. The core is surrounded by a reflector of a material which is largely dependent on this neutron energy. The combination of core and reflector, to gether with other components present, e.g, coolant and structure must be capable of maintaining a fission chain.
The
operation
of
the
reactor
at
appreciable
power
levels
depends
on
the
ability to remove the heat produced by fission as fast as it is liberated. This involves the use of a coolant, which must circulate through the reactor core in such a manner as to maintain a temperature distribution that is as uniform as possible. If the energy generated in the reactor is to be converted into electrical power, then the heat must be transferred to a working fluid to produce steam or hot gas. The resulting vapour or gas can be used to generate power in a conventional manner, for example by means of a turbine.
Reactors are classified as "thermal", "Fast" or intermediate "according to the neutron energy region in which the majority of the nuclear fissions occur. In thermal reactors most fissions are due to the absorption of slow neutrons. In order to slow down the fast neutrons released in fission a sufficient amount of moderator must be included, in the core of the reactor.
182 Thermal reactors have the great advantage of flexibility in size. The size can be attained by size. Varying For the a nature reactor and properties natural of the fuel as and fuel the and
moderator
example
with
uranium
graphite as moderator, is roughly 20 feet across at least with a fuel material highly enriched in U- 235 and ordinary water as moderator, a thermal reactor may have linear dimensions of not more than one or two feet. An important draw back to thermal reactors is the loss of neutrons due to parasitic capture by constructional and other materials as well as by fission products.
In a fast reactor, the majority of fissions occur by interaction of fissile material with neutrons of high energy. The use of a moderator or of any material of low mass number, which might slow down the neutrons, must
consequently be avoided as for as possible. Parasitic capture of neutrons is a relatively minor problem in a fast reactor. On the other hand there is some limitation in the choice of fuel materials. A fast reactor requires an enriched
fuel containing about 20 to 25% of fissile material, e.g, U- 235, U- 233 or PU239. A disadvantage of a fast reactor is the larger mass of fissile material necessary to attain criticality. Because there is no moderator, the critica l s i z e may be quite small e.g, a foot or less across, and then the heat removal is difficult when the operating power is high. The outstanding as pect of certain fast reactors is their ability for to his breed reason fissile that material, such Plutonium 239, in are alternating
p a r t i c u l a r . I t is interest.
mainly
reactors
An intermediate reactor is one in which fissions are caused mainly by neutrons slowed down into a broad energy range between fast and thermal energies. Some moderation is necessary, but not as much as in a thermal
reactor. In a sense an intermediate reactor is compromise between thermal and fast reactors. Parasitic capture of neutrons can be less than in a thermal reactor. 239. An intermediate reactor also offers the possibility of breedingP-
U- 233 is fissionable by slow neutrons and it is obtained from Th- 232 by means of neutrons available in a reactor.
U- 235 will undergo fission by neutrons of any energy, from almost zero upward, but U- 238, requires neutrons of al least 1 MeV to induce
fission. U- 233 and P 239 are like U- 235 in the respect that neutrons of any energy can induce fission, such species are known as fissile nuclides. On the other hand, U- 2 3 8 , T h - 232 and certain other species, which have a fission threshhold at about 1 MeV are said to be fissionable nuclides. In general
fissile nuclides have either an even number of protons and an odd number of neutrons or odd numbers of both. Of the fissionable nuclides, only the even even species U- 238 and Th- 232 are of practical interest, because they can be
converted into fissile nuclides by reaction with neutrons. Both U- 238 and Th232 will undergo fission by fast neutrons with energy greater than 1 MeV, but it is not possible to sustain a chain reaction in these isotopes. Since both U- 238 and Th- 232 can be converted into fissile species, however, they are referred to as 'fertile materails'.
One of the remarkable aspects of nuclear reactors is that they can be designed so as to produce their own fuel, by conversion of fertile to fissile material. Such reactors are called regenerative reactors or convertors.
Plutonium production reactors fall in this category. In these reactors U 235 serves to maintain the fission chain, but some of the neutrons are captured by the fertile U- 238 reactor new with can fissile the ultimate useful to formation energy that of while plutonium- 2 3 9 . A converting fertile a
produce material,
replace
consumed.
Consider
U- 233 as the fissile material. For every one of these nuclei fission, more than on would be produced by the capture of
undergoing
neutrons in Th.232. Such reactors are called breeders and the regeneration process is known as breeding. By the use of breeding, the stock pile of fissile
184 material material could be be steadily into increased. fissile Thus not but only the would amount al l of the the fertile latter
converted
material,
available, and hence the rate of power production could be steadily increased.
This would not go on indefinitely, because a time would be reached in the ultimate future when all the fertile material was consumed.
The energy obtained by the fusion of light nuclei would be more practical than the energy that would be obtained by the fission of heavy nuclei. The to the binding energy per
nucleon being less in the heavy elements, than it is in those of intermediate mass number formed in fission. In the case of fusion, the combination of two more of the lightest nuclei should result in the liberation of energy.
Many reactions between nuclei of low mass number can be brought about by accelerating one or other of the nuclei, in a suitable manner. These are o ften fusion processes accompanied by release of energy. To have practical value, fusion reactions must occur in such a manner as to make them self sustaining, that is more energy must be released than is consumed in initiating the reaction.
S o m e i n d i c a t i on considering the
of
how of
this the
might
be
achieved amounts
can of
be
obtained
by
source
enormous
energy
produced
continuously in the stars. A.S. Eddington suggested that the energy of the sun resulted Eddington helium from the mutual that annihilation energy of was positive liberated and in negat v e c h a r g e s . i the formation of
proposed
stellar
from
hydrogen.
Energy might be liberated in th stars as a result of nuclear fusion reactions occurring at the very high stellar temperatures, from 15 to 30 milli ns, o
degrees Kelvin. Such processes are called thermonuclear reactions and these
185 reactions can occur at rates sufficient to account for the release of large amounts of stellar energy.
In order for two nuclei to interacts, they must have enough kinetic ene r g y t o over come the electrostatic repulsion barrier which tends to keep them apart. Simple calculations indicate that for the nuclei of the lowest atomic number e.g., the isotopes of hydrogen the energy required to make the nuclear
reactions occur at a detectable rate is about 0.1 MeV. But the temperature would have to be as high as 1000 million degrees Kelvin, if the average energy of the particles is to be 0.1MeV. Such temperatures are considerably higher than those existing in stars. At any given temperature, Maxwellian distribution of energies among the molecules of there a is a At
gas.
temperatures of millions of degrees a gas does not consists of molecules, but rather of a completely ionized system called a 'Plasma'. A plasma contains equal quantities of positively charged nuclei (ions) and negative electrons.
The concept of distribution of energies should be applied. Therefore there will always be a certain proportion of nuclei, which have energies greatly exceeding the average. Thus at a temperature of 20million degrees, for
example, where the average kinetic energy is only 0.002 MeV, there are an appreciable number of nuclei with energies of 0.1MeV or more. These have sufficient energy to permit them to take part in thermonuclear fusion
Most of the thermonuclear reactions are due to nuclei with energies in excess of the average H.H. Bethe suggested the following to explain nuclear
reactions at high temperatures. Two sets of nuclear reactions have been found to account for the energies of what are called "Main Sequence" stars. The first is known as the 'Carbon Cycle', in which the carbon acts as a sort of catalyst in facilitating the combinations of four protons to form a Helium nucleus. The second is known as the proton proton chain, since the first step involves by the the combination release of of two protons. Other occur nuclear in older reactions (holter)
accompanied stars.
energy
undoubtedly
186 In the carbon cycle (Bethe's) a proton interacts with a C - 12 nucleus, with a release of fusion energy. 12 1 13 C + H N is radioactive and has a 1 7 13 energy. N 7
13 C 6 +
13 + 6
1 H 1
14 N + 7 1 energy.
14
H to yield energy
14 N 7 15 +
1 H 1
15 O + 8 energy.
O is a position emitter with a half life of 2.05min 8 15 O 8 7 15 N + +1 O e and finally the 1 5 N interacts
15 N 7 +
1 H 1
4 2
187
The net result in thus the conversion of four hydrogen atoms into a helium atom, plus energy amounting to a total of about 26.7MeV.
In the Proton Proton chain, two protons fuse to produce a deuterium nucleus and a positron:
1 H 1 +
1 H 1
2 D + 1 e + energy
O +1
2 D 1 +
1 H 1
3 He + energy 2
3 He + 2
3 He 2
4 He + 2 2 H + energy
1 1
The energy released is the same as in carbon- cycle, namely 26.7 MeV for each helium nucleus. at low temperatures (Stellar), the proton proton -
chain predominates, but as the temperature is raised, the carbon cycl e r a p i d l y becomes of increasing significance. Thus in hotter stars (larger), all the
energy comes from the carbon cycle but in the smaller (cooler) stars, the proton- proton chain is the main source of energy.
1. 2.a)
Discuss the theory of nuclear fission Show that 1 amu = 931 MeV
188
Self Check Exercise 2 1. 2. Discuss the different types of nuclear reactors Write a note on fissile and fertile nuclides 3.a) Discuss the fusion reaction by using Bethe's carbon cycle and proton proton chain. b) Explain how power production is feasible using fusion reactions?
16.3 Let us Sum Up Fission theory is discussed carbon The in detail. is Fusion reactions in stars are
Bethes is
cycle
illustrated. of power
Nuclear production
power using
discussed. is
feasibility
reaction
indicated.
i) ii) iii)
Theories of fission Fusion reactions in stars The feasibility of power production from fusion reactions.
16.5 References
1)
Source book on atomic energy Glass tone East, West, New Delhi. 2) Theory and problems of physical chemistryMcGraw Hill New Delhi. Schaum's Outline Series
189
LESSON 1 7
CONTENTS 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 17.0 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES INTRODUCTION SYNTHETIC ELEMENTS 17.2.1 THE TRANSURANIUM LET US SUM UP POINTS FOR DISCUSSION REFERENCES AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The aim of this lesson is to study the synthesis of elements by artificial means. After going, through this lesson you would be able to learn the ELEMENTS
17.1
INTRODUCTION
lanthanide of the
series,
there
has of
been an
much
possibility
occurrence
analogous
'actinide series', beginning with the element actinium, atomic number 89. The four elements of this possible series, whose properties were gener a l l y k n o w n at the time, namely actinium, thorium, protactinium and uranium are placed in groups IIIA, IVA, VA and VIA. Prior to 1945, most chemists would have doubted the existence of an actinide elements, series. A study Pu(94), of the chemical Cm(96),
Np(93),
Am(95),
Bk(97), Cf(98), Es(99), Fm(100), and Md (101), has shown clearly that these elements similar to have the properties, lanthanide which series. would The make nearly them studies members of the of a series
tr nsuranium a
elements led to the development of the remarkable techniques of quantitative ultramicro chemistry, this made possible experiments with fractions of a
dissolved substance.
A thin layer of uranium oxide was exposed to slow neutrons. A non recoiling beta emitting product (t = 23min) was obtained. This was shown to be U- 239. This U- 239 days) 238 U 92 + 0 1 n 92 239 U + decayed emitting b r a y s to give, Np (93) (t =2.3
239 U 92
239 Np 93 +
O e (b - decay) -1
This new synthetic element does not precipitate with H2 S in acid solution; it is not reduced to the metallic state by Zn. In a reducing SO2 solution, Np would be precipited with Ce (III) as fluoride ie, NpF3 or NpF4. The neptunium activity could be separated with sodium uranyl (VI) acetate. Np resembles U; both exist in III, IV, V and VI oxidation states. NpO2 and NpF4 are more stable.
isotope
of
Np,
Np- 238
(t
=2.1
days)
was
obtained
by
238 Np 93
1 +2 0 n; Np 2 3 8
92
Eight Np isotopes with mass numbers ranging from 231 through 241 have been obtained by the bombardment of either one or other of the isotopes of Uranium by deutrons or alpha particles. Tracer techniques are used to
191 identity the synthetic elements like the transuranium, elements. In this
technique an inactive carrier is used to follow the behaviour of a radio active element present in tracer amounts. Provided the material has a reasonably strong activity, it is possible to, trace quantitites as small as 10- 1 0 gm or less. For example if an appreciable quantity of 'Th' is added as carrier to a solution containing acid, a it tracer will amount of Np, in the reduced state in aqueous be found that the Thorium fluoride (ThF4)
hydrofluoric
precipitated contains essentially those of the neptunium activity. From this it followed that Np forms an insoluble fluoride namely NpF4. Using ultramicro chemical synthetic techniques elements are extremely analysed. small amounts (from Np has 1m g to 0.02m g)of states III,
Quantitatively
oxidation
IV and VI in solutions.
Pu : Plutonium 238 named after Pluto is an alpha emitter and is formed from Np238:
238 Np 93
238 Pu 94 +
O e -1
Tracer
techniques
showed
that
plutonium
like neptunium
is
precipitated
as
239 Np 93
239 Pu 94 +
lifeof 24, 360years. Several isotopes of Pu have been obtained by nuclear reactions.
232 Pu : 235 U (, 7n) 234 Pu : 233 U (, 3n) 237 Pu : 235 U (, 2n) 241 Pu : 238 U (, n)
192
Pu has four oxidation states, III, IV,V and VI. Like Np Pu resembles Uranium in many of its chemical properties. The IV state of Pu is more stable than VI state. The stable oxide of Pu in PuO2 .
PuO 2
1500o C thorium.
Plutonium metal (used as a reactor fuel) is made by heating the PuF4 in a closed vessel:
with calcium
Pu F 4 + 2 Ca F2 .
Pu + 2Ca
Am:
Americium:
Third
transuranic
element
obtained
as
follows:
U2 3 8 i s -
238 U+ 92
4 He 2
241 Pu 94 +
1 n 0
241 Pu 94
241 Am + 95
(,2n) reaction with Pu- 239. Am has the stable III state. Am is separated from the rare earth carriers by Ion- exchange methods. Am x 3 (x=Cl, Br,I) are known. Ba(Vapour) Am- silvery o 1000 C
AmF3
white
metal m . p t
134o'c cm: curium obtained by bombarding Pu- 239 using cyclotron with - particle.
It was also obtained from metastable Am- 242 242 Am 95 96 242 Cm + -1 0 e+ . From this reaction cm was obtained
as cm 2 O 3 . 13 isotopes of Cm (from 238 to 250) are known. Bk and Cf: Berkelium (is analogus to terbium) 241 4 Am + He Bkwas seperated 2 243 Bk 97 +2 0 1 n
95
from Am by ion exchange methods. Bk exists predominantly in the (III) state. eight isotopes (mass numbers 243 through 250) are known t of Bk is 4.5hrs.
Californium (Cf) is obtained by the action of 35MeV alpha particle on cm- 2 4 2 . T h e reaction is (,n) 242 4 245 Cf 98 +2 0 1 n; Cf- 245
Cm + He has t 44 min 96 2
Cf exists only in the (III) oxidation state. Es(Einsteinium) and fermium (Fm): Es247 is obtained by the reaction:238U (14N, 5n) 247 Es. It has 11 isotopes from 245 to 256. Es- 254 (t =270days) is obtained in weighable amounts. Fm- 248 is obtained using.
194
238 U+ 92
16 O 8 Mendelevium
recoil on a gold foil, so that they were free from Es. The gold foil was dissolved and the new element isolated by the ion- exchange method. Md- 256has a t of 1.5hrs 253 Es + 99 2 4 He 101 255 Md +2 n 0 1
No: Nobelium (102): produced by the bombardment of cm- 246 with C- 12 ions using the 246 Cm + 96 heavy 12 C 6 ionaccelerator 254 No 102 +4 0 1 n
U ( 2 2 Nc,6n)
254
No ; 2 4 3 Am ( 1 5 N, 4n) 102
254
No 102
No- 252 produced from Cm has t of 2.5sec. LW: Lawrencium (103): The method used to obtain the new element was to
bombard a mixture of californium, with mass numbers 249, 250, 251 and 252, with a beam of B- 10 and B- 11 ions from the heavy ion accelarator . Lw was found to be an alpha particle emitter. By counting the alpha particles, its t was found to be about 8 sec. Element 242 104 22 (Kurchatovium): 260 + 4 n 0 1 b y
195 u s i n g N e - 22 ions, t was given as 0.3sec. The chloride of the new element was reported elements. Self 1) Check Exercise I to be more volatile than the chlorides of other transuranium
Discuss the synthesis of transuranium elements 2) Compare earths. the properties of transuranium elements with those of rare
17.3 Let us Sum Up The synthesis of transuranium elements is explained in detail. Several nulear reactions are illustrated. The synthesis of Pu- 239 fissile material) is indicated. The exidation states of (an important
tr ansuranium
i) ii)
Discussion of several nuclear reactions Discoveries of transuranium elements and their seperation.
17.5 References 1) Source book on atomic energy Glass tone East, West, New Delhi. 2) Theory and problems of physical chemistryMcGraw Hill New Delhi. Schaum's Outline Series
196
LESSON 1 8
CONTENTS 18.0 18.1 18.2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES INTRODUCTI0ON HOT ATOM CHEMISTRY AND RADIO ISOTOPES 18.2.1 HOT ATOM CHEMISTRY 18.2.2 APPLICATIONS OF RADIO ISOTOPES 18.3 18.4 18.5 LET US SUM UP POINTS FOR DISCUSSION
REFERENCES
18.0
After going through this lesson you would be able to understand the simple principle of hot atom chemistry and you would be able to learn about and use in future, the radio isotopes.
18.1
INTRODUCTION
Several
isotopes
both
radioactive
and
inactive The
have
been method
employed represents
to a
investigate
various
chemical
processes.
isotopic
powerful tool for the solution of numerous problems in biology, physiology, chemistry, physics and other sciences. Some of these problems, particularly those having an important bearing on life processes, could not have been solved without the use of isotopes.
It is only in recent years that isotopes have become available in such variety and in such quantity as to make their use as wide spread as it is at present time.
197 The more important applications of isotopes depend on the fact that the
chemical properties of isotopes of a given element are essentially identical. A radioisotope can be detected by its radioactivity, and an inactive isaotope of spectrometer. Therefore,
the characteristics property of the isotope namely, its activity or mass can act as a 'tag' or 'label'. The element which has been tagged or labeled is
In
general
an For
element example
can
be
labeled 'C'
by
changing 1.1% of
its
natural
isotopic
composition.
ordinary
contains
proportion of this isotope in a particular compound is increased, the carbon has become labeled.
Suppose that acetic acid, in which only the CH3 carbon is labeled, is supplied to an organism then among the metabolic products, appears CO2 gas. Upon testing the gas it is found to be inactive, This shows that the carbon in the 'CO 2 ' originated from the COOH group and not from the CH3 - group. This example is a simple illustration of the type a problem for which an unequivalent solution could not possibly obtained without the use of an
isotopic tracer.
18.2.1
The name "hot atom chemistry" is given to the study of chemical reactions resulting from the transfer to valence bonds of energy produced in nuclear processes of various kinds.
This many make possible a separation of the isomeric nuclei. An interesting example is provided by the isomers of tellurium, for (eg) Te- 131. If to a Tellurate solutions (Te (VI), containing this species, is added some ordinary
198 inactive tellurite (Te(IV), then upon separating the latter chemically, it is This is explained as follows: the
isomer.
gamma ray emitted by the upper (1.2days) isomeric state undergoes internal conversion, resulting in the ejection of an electron from a K or L level o t h e f product atom, that is from the lower (25min) isomeric state. As a result of what is known as the "Auger effect', the high energy of this inner (KorL) electron electrons), is transferred which are to one or more of the outer electrons (Valence
of valence electrons from the 25- min isomer results in the breaking of some of the bonds between is the tellurium by and a oxygen change atoms, from the consequently VI to the
isomeric
transition
accompanied
the I V
and the of
T.Chalmers product of
employed, an (n,)
this reaction
type
of
hot the
atom targot
chemistru, material.
to The
from
a - ray photon following the capture of a neutron causes the to recoil; the recoil particular energy atom is to sufficient the to break of the the
attaching product
this
remainder
atom,
be in a different chemical form, and a seperation from the oroginal material becomes possible. for example, if an aqueous solution of NaclO3 is subjected to the action of slow neutrons, the reaction 3 7 cl(n,) 3 8 cl takes place, but
many of the cl- 38 atoms formed are detached from the chlorate and pass into solution as cl(- ) ions. By adding a small amount of in active chloride to the solution and precipitating with silver nitrate, the resulting Agcl is found to carry the whole of the cl- 38 activity.
18.2.2
In much of the work in which an isotope is used as a tracer it is necessary to introduce the tracer element into a certain compound to be studied. In
biochemical investigations the object of the study is to determine the fate of the different portions of a given compound. The preparation of labeled
199 compounds has become an important aspect of tracer studies. For example consider labeled) the synthesis of C- 1 4 l a b e l e d acetic acid (CH3 group is to be
BaCO3
containing
be represented as:
H BaC * O 3 C * H3 CN (H+) H2 O
*
P C* H3 OH C* H3 I I2
NaCN C* O 2 Catalyst
*
CH 3 CN
CH 3 COOH
TRACER APPLICATIONS: The use of isotopic tracers in biological studies is to obtain information that w i l l m a k e possible a better understanding of many complex processes which take place in living organisms.
Linseed Oil, which contains fats derived from doubly and triply unsaturated acids, was partially "hydrogenated" by means of deuterium as as to give a mixture of both saturated and unsaturated fats, in which two or four of the hydrogen resulting atoms deutero attached fats to the fed carbon to were replaced by deuterium. showed that The the
were
animals.
The
analysis
major part of the deuterium was found to have been deposited in the fatty portion of the body. Further studies indicated that the saturated fats are
desaturated by the removal of deuterium and at the same time the unsaturated fats are saturated by the addition of hydrogen (or deuterium) from water.
Deuterium studies indicate tat only singly unsaturated fats could take part in the equilibrium. Such deuterium studies in animals indicate that the highly unsaturated fats are indispensible in the sense that they must be supplied in the diet, the body being unable to synthesis them. By lebeling various dietary
200 amino acids with both isotopic nitrogen and deuterium it has been shown
that the formation of creatine in the body requires contributions from three amino acids, namely glycine, arginine and methionine. The creatine is
produced in this manner and is converted into creatine Creatine is the an hydride of the amino acid
constituent of animal tissue. An approximately constant amount of creatine is excreted daily in the urine. Tracer studies using radio active iron as tracer indicate that iron is stored in the body in the form of an iron protein combination known as ferritin. When the store of ferritin has attained its normal value it does not increase further, no matter how much iron may be supplied orally. If the iron reserves decrease, then the amount of ferrition decreases, the body is able to absorb iron.
Radio iron studies that indicate iron remains in the hemoglobin as long as the red blood- corpuscles are intact. But when the corpuscles are destroyed, the iron is not lost, it is almost wholly retained in the body and is rapidly incorporated into the hemoglobin of new red corpuscles. It is this
phenomenon which accounts for the small absorption of iron from the food under normal conditions.
Radioactive isotopes have become a valuable tool in the diagnosis and understanding of many diseases. A simple instance is provided by the use of radio sodium to study cases of restricted circulation of blood. A small
quantity of sodium chloride solution, in which the sodium has been labeled w i t h N a - 24, is injected into a vein of the patient's fore arm, a gamma ray counter is then placed in contact with one of the feet. If the blood circulation is normal, the presence of radioactivity is very soon detected in the foot, it increases rapidly and reaches a maximum value within less than an hour. If there is a circulatory impairment of some kind, however, the radioactivity
will increase slowly, showing that blood has difficulty in reaching the foot. By moving the counter to different parts of the body the position of the restriction can be located, and the necessary treatment applied.
201 It has been found by introducing iron- 59 into the blood of a normal human being that the iron is deposited in and then removed from the marrow, th e spleen and the liver in a manner that is specific for the particular organ. In cases of anemia (deficiency of red blood cells) and polycythemia (excess red cells), the normal behaviour is changed in a manner typical for each disease. In the case of anemia the activity of iron- 59 increases with time. But in the case of a normal human being the activity increases and then decreases with time. In refractory anemia associated with hypoplastic (under developed
marrow), for example, the iron is found preferably in the liver rather than in the marrow where the re d blood cells are formed.
The
tracer
experiments
have
also
demonstrated
that
red
cell
formation
is
controlled by a hormone called erythropoietin, which circulates in the blood stream. At normal conditions are associated with an excess or deficiency of
this hormone.
V i t a m i n B - 12
(comples
organic
compound
containing
cobalt)
has
been
prepared with the cobalt as a radioactive isotope, either co- 57, - 5 8 o r 6 0 a n d its rate of absorption and loss from the body has been studied with the whole body counter. From the results it is possible to distinguish three types of behavior, normal, second, inability to absorb B- 12 from the intestine and
third pernicious anemia, in which there is a deficiency of the vitamin i n blood. Whole- body radiation measurements with labeled B- 12 are being used in the study of pernicious anemia. The position of tumours have been
identified using radio isotopes. I- 131 has been used to study the functioning of thyroid gland. Brain tumor is detected using tracers like the positron
emitter Ga- 58 and the isomer of technetium- 99 in the form of pertechnetate ion. After injection of the radioactive tracer the location of the brain tumor can be found by means of a suitable scintillation camera or a multiple
detector scanner. Co- 60 obtained from the reaction 59Co(n') 6 0 Co, is usedin cancer therapy.
202 Brain tumors are destroyed using an internal source of alpha particles (and lithium ions). reaction. particles are obtained from B- 10 by means of (n, )
Radio
active
isotopes
have
been
extensively
employed
in
agricultural
research. The use of P- 32, is indicated below. Phosphoric acid containing a k n o w n p roportion of P- 32, is converted into a phosphate such as calcium
superphosphate, tricalcium phosphate or hydroxyapatite suitable for use as a fertilizer. A definite quantity of the labeled phosphorous is then applied to the soil, in which plants are grown. At certain intervals a number of these plants are harvested and the total phosphorous derived from both soil and fertilizer, is determined by chemical analysis of their ash. The radioactivity of the plant ash, combined with the measured specific activity of the
fertilizer, gives the amount of phosphorous which the plant takes up from the fertilizer.
It has been shown by such studies that (in poor soil conditions) corn requires most of its phosphorous fertilizer at the beginning and less toward the end of the growth with potatoes on a similar soil, from 50 to 60% of the
phosphorous uptake came from the fertilizer during the whole period of the growth.
tracers
have and
been
employed
in
several
industrial
processes.
detergency of surface
floation of minerals, adsorption and lubrication are upon which work has been done with
phenomena
radioactive tracers. Age hardening, annealing, quenching and cold rolling of alloys have been subjected to radio tracer studies to understand the effects of such treatments.
Activation Analysis is a powerful tool in many aspects of science and industry. The basic principle of activation analysis is that one (or more) of the stable isotopes of a given element is activated "i.e, converted into a radioactive nuclide, by a suitable nuclear treatment e.g, bombardment with
203 neutrons, with accelerated particles or by high energy X- rays. The product
can then be identified by its radiation, i.e, beta particles, or gamma rays and by its half life. By using a comparison sample containing a known amount of the particular element and treating it in exactly the same way as the unknown specimen, the analysis can be made quantitatively. The most common
application of the techniques is probably in testing highly purified substances for traces of impurities. Construction materials and moderators for nuclear
reactors, for example, must be exceptionally free from elements that capture neutrons to a significant extent. Activation analysis provides a sensitive
means for detecting such impurities. Small amount of oxygen present in the steel is detected
16
by
measuring
gamma
ray
from
N- 16
produced
by
the
reaction
O(n,p) 1 6 N
Tracer Analysis
Tracer material
analysis (a
involves
the
addition
of
known
amount
of
an
isotopic
determined by a suitable counter) suppose it is required to analyse a solution for the element 'A', present in very small amount. Let the element B be one which forms an insoluble compound AB; a solution of 'B' is prepared with one of its radio isotopes in known proportion i.e, known specific activity. The solution 'B' is then added to 'A', to precipitate all of the 'A' as the insoluble observed 'AB'. count The rate precipitated the total AB is separated of 'B' in and the counted. From can the be
quantity
precipitate
Solubilities of a sparingly soluble salts can be determined by tracer method. A sample of Pb (NO3 ) 2 is prepared containing a known ratio of the alpha emitting isotope Ra- D. The nitrate is dissolved in water and a solution of sulphate is added. The solid PbSO4 containing Ra- D as tracer is then used to prepare a saturated solution in water. This solution is evaporated a n d i t s activity measured. The total amount of lead in the solution and hence the
204 solubility of lead sulphate can be calculated from the known proportion of Ra- D.
The dilution principle has been applied to determine the volume of water in the body. For this purpose either the stable isotope D2 or tritium can be used as a tracer. A definite volume of water containing one of these isotopes is injected into the body and after allowing about an hour for uniform mixing to take place, a sample serum is withdraw and its isotope content is measured.
From the change in concentration, the volume of water in the body can be calculated. If the isotope concentration is found to be decreased by a factor of 1000, for example the volume of water in the body is 1000 times that originally injected.
Age of uranium can be estimated as follows: Nt = NO e - lt ; N O = U - 238 originally present in the mineral and Nt is the amount left
after the lapse of time 't'. This represents the age of the m ineral. Since essentially all the U- 238 has been converted into Pt- 206, the quantity of Pl206 present is equal to: (N O - Nt) Therefore = (2 3 8 U = 2 3 8 U + 2 0 6 Pl) e lt knowing the
amount of U- 238
and Pl- 206 present and knowing l of U- 238, 't' the age of the mineral can be estimated.
By means of radio carbon dating the age of a dead wood or animal can be estimated.
Several generation
radio in
nuclides satellites.
have
been
employed
as
heat
sources
for
power thermo
Self
Check
Exercise 1
205 1) 2) Explain the term 'hot atom chemistry' and discuss its applications. Discuss the uses of radio isotopes in the fields of i) Biology ii) Medicine iii) Agriculture. 3) Discuss tracer analysis
1)
for a biological
tracer experiment. In order that 10 cm3 of the diluted gas at STP should have 10 4 dpm, how many/mci of radioactive C- 14 are needed to prepare 60L of the diluted gas? (Ans: ~27 m ci).
2)
In order to determine the volume of the blood in an animal, a 1.00ML of an aqeous solution containing tritium is injected into the animal's blood serum. The sample injected has an activity of 1.8 x 106 sufficient time, of the sample of blood is found to be 1.2 x 10 4 animal's blood (Ans: ~ 300ML). CPS (Counts/sec). After
2.00ML of blood are withdrawn from animal and the activity CPS. Calculate volume of
3)
A sample of uraninite, was found to contain 0.214g Pl- 206, for every gram of uranium. If all the lead came from the disintegration of U- 238, age of the mineral (T50 U- 238 = 4.5 x 10 yrs)
9
estimate
the
18.3 Let us Sum Up Hot atom chemistry is defined. The uses of radio isotopes in the fields of biology, medicine and agriculture are discussed in detail. illustrated. Tracer studies are
18.4 Points for Discussion: 1) Hot atom chemistry definition and other examples.
18.5 References 1) Source book on atomic energy Glass tone East, West, New Delhi. 2) T h e o r y a nd problems of physical chemistryMcGraw Hill New Delhi. Schaum's Outline Series
207 UNIT V I I
LESSON 1 9 CONTENTS
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES INTRODUCTION EXPERIMENTAL METHODS FOR DETECTION OF NUCLEAR RADIATIONS 19.2.1 19.2.2 CLOUD BUBBLE CHAMBER CHAMBER
REFERENCES
19.0
The lesson describes the various experimental techniques such as cloud chamber, bubble chamber for the detection of nuclear radiations, After go ing through this lesson you would learn how such instruments like Wilson's cloud chamber made possible the discovery of particles like positron, muon,
19.1
INTRODUCTION
Instruments like cloud chamber are useful for the transmutation. compelling A single cloud chamber photograph are can
study
of
demonstrate in a
evidence
how
many
fragments
formed
transmutation, process and the directions in which they fly away and how far they are able to travel through the gas in the chamber.
In 1911, Wilson showed that the path of could be made visible. The apparatus is
single as
ionizing
particle Air
known
cloud
chamber.
contained in an enclosed space can be saturated with the vapour of water or any other liquid the amount of the vapour necessary to produce saturation decreasing as the temperature is lowered. Imagine a vessel containing air saturated with water vapour enclosed by a piston. The piston is maintained in position by the pressure of air below it. If the pressure under the piston is
suddenly released, so that it falls, it will result in the immediate expansion of the air or gas in the vessel. The sudden adiabatic expansion causes the air to be cooled and it now contains more vapour at this lower temperature. particles of dust are present in air, they will act as condensation nuclei, If and
the excess of water vapour will separate out as fine droplets of liquid in the form of a cloud or mist.
The
drop to such an extent as will expand the volume of the air by a factor of 1.25 to 1.37 this being the range in which cloud formation can occur. If an ionizing particle after enters the the chamber, the either ions immediately left in the before, path during act or as
immediately
expansion,
will
condensation nuclei, a close array of fine droplets, ie. a kind of linear cloud, called a cloud track will thus be formed. By using strong illumination from the side, the track appears as a white line on the dark back ground. This can be photographed by means of two cameras at right angles, so that a record can be attained from which the path of the single ionizing particle in three dimensions can be studied. Cloud chamber photographs have shown that
In the earlier cloud chambers a layer of water or oil was used on the floor of the chamber as a seal for the piston and this meant that the piston could be used only in the horizontal position. Wilson constructed a cloud chamber in which the piston was replaced by a thin rubber diaphragm fixed at its edge. The diaphragm was maintained in a state of tension by means of
209 compressed air in the back or lower part of the chamber, and when this was released the gas in the chamber underwent sudden expansion. A cloud
chamber of this type can be used in any desired position. To saturate air in the Wilson's chamber water was initially used. But ethyl alcohol or propyl alcohol or a mixture of alcohol and water can be employed to saturate the air in the chamber. The use of alcohol gives better condensation on positive ions, than does water alone and in addition, the extent of expansion necessary for droplet formation is diminished from 1.25 to 1.10 at ordinary pressure. Cloud chambers containing argon are also employed. The pressures range from
b e l o w a tmospheric to about 200 atm. The higher pressures are desirable for the study of high energy (or long range) particles which might otherwise pass right through the chamber without taking part in an event of interest.
For the study of radioactive radiations and for many similar purposes, relatively simple cloud chambers, with air at ordinary pressure, are quite
adequate. Because of the low penetrating power of alpha particles, the source of the radiation, must be inside the chamber. But a substance emitti g ' b ' n particles can be placed outside and the rays cloud allowed tracks to enter through a
yield
because
they
liberate
electrons which produce ionization in their paths. These tracks are howeve r very faint. By making visible the track of an ionizing particle, the range of the particle and its energy can be calculated. Eo = 2.12- R 2 / 3 - - - - - - - (1)
Eo = initial energy of the alpha particle in MeV and R is its range in cms of air .
By counting the drops in the cloud track the specific ionization can be determined and the nature of the particle identified, it is thus possible to distinguish between an alpha particle, a proton, a meson and an electron. The particle has the highest specific ionization and gives a short dense track,
210 while an electron, unless it is moving with very high speed, leaves a track which is diffuse. By determining the radius of curvature of the cloud track in a magnetic field of known strength, the momentum of the particle can be estimated. The direction of curvature indicates the sign of the electric charge
of the ionizing particle. The discovery of the position was made in this manner.
The basic disadvantage of the condensation cloud chamber is that, be cause of the low density of the gas, the significant phenomenans are not very frequent.
19.2.2
Bubble
Chamber
In 1952 D.A.Glaser at the University of Michigan conceived the idea of using super heated liquid to display the track of ionizing particles, just as a cloud chamber uses a super heated vapour. The instrument based on this concept is called a bubble chamber, be cause the tracks consist of a series of closely spaced bubbles, analogues to the small droplets of liquid in the cloud chamber.
Glaser found that when such a super heated liquid was exposed to nuclear radiation, the resulting ions acted as nuclei for the production of small bubbles. The bubbles are spaced at something like a hundredth of an inch apart depending on the specific ionization of the imitating particle, so
that they appear as a fairly continuous track which indicates the path of the particle. As in the cloud chamber, the tracks can be photographed against a dark background.
The medium in the first bubble chambers was diethyl either, but liquid hydrogen, D 2 , He, propane and other liquids have been used successfully. For studying the interaction of particles with protons, the liquid in the chamber is hydrogen. Along with liquid H2 , C 3 H 8 is also used, in the chamber.
211 For neutron interactions liquid deuterium is employed in the chamber. For studying 'g' rays, liquid containing heavy atoms is favoured. Freon type compounds such as trifluoro bromomethane and liquid xenon have been
The operation of a bubble chamber is similar in many respects to that of an expansion cloud chamber. The liquid is compressed and the temperature is raised to well above the normal boiling point at atmosphere pressure. For (eg) propane has a normal boiling point of - 42 o C. It is compressed to about 21 atmospheres and heated to a temperature of 58o C . T h e pressure is then
decreased suddenly and the liquid becomes super heated. In this condition it is sensitive to the passage of ionizing particle. Even if no such particles enter the chamber, boiling with bubble formation would invariably occur within a short time. Regardless of whether a particle track is formed or not, the liquid must be recompressed before it is again ready for operation.
The earliest bubble chambers had linear dimensions of only one inch or two and were made with smooth glass or lined internally with glass. Larger
bubble chambers (upto 14 feet in length) have been designed for tracking particles of higher and higher energies. Bubble chambers are almost
invariably placed in a magnetic field, of known strength. The momentum of t h e c h a r g e d particles can then be determined from the radius of curvature of the bubble track. For particles of high momentum, the curvature is small, and difficult to measure unless a strong magnetic field is used.
In many studies with high energy particles, it is necessary to analyze a large number of bubble chamber events and then to plot the data in a suitable manner to obtain the probability distribution of various events. This
statistical analysis can also be performed by a computer. The results are then displayed in some convenient graphic manner for use of interpretation.
212 Nuclear Emulsion In 1909 Miigge (Germany) and S.Kinoshita (Japan) observed that the blackened regions of a developed photographic plate, resulting from exposure to alpha particles, appeared to be made up of individual grains. It was later
realized that the positions of the grains were related to the path of the alpha particles. It was found that ionizing particles, in general record their tracks in a photographic emulsion, as a series of closely silver. spaced black specks of
Because photographic
of
the
relatively the
high
density
(and by
stopping
power)
of
the very
emulsion,
tracks
produced
charged
particles
are
short compared with those found in a cloud chamber. These tracks do not differ greatly from bubble track emulsions They this were tracks. Due to the development of special nuclear is used largely in employed ray in tracking and led charged to the
method widely
particles.
cosmic
studies
T h e c o m p o sition of emulsion had been changed so as to make itmore suitable for the study of various ionizing particles, such as alpha partiles, protons, mesons and even electrons. By adding Boron or lithium contain to the
silver
bromide to the extent of 80% or more of the dry weight, this being about ten times the quantity present in plates or films used for normal photographic purposes. The silver halide grains are extremely small. The smaller the grain, the more sensitive is the emulsion to ionizing radiations originally the
emulsions were deposited (roughly one eighth of a centimeter thick) on glass plates. Now, stripped emulsions are available without backing.
The tracks produced in a photographic emulsions are very short, (eg) a few thousandth's of an inch for alpha particles from radioactive sources, but they can be magnified and photographed.
The photograph emulsion resembles the Wilson cloud chamber in the respect that it can record individual events involving atomic nuclei and other
213 charged obtained particles. from Information on concerning the the particles tracks. involved Tracks can caused be by
measurements
photographic
heavy, strongly ionizing particles have numerous thin wavy tracks project ng i from their sides. These are called delta rays and are produced by electrons ejected from the nuclei in the path of the particle. From the number of delta rays per unit track length, the magnitude of the charge in the particle can be estimated.
(but
not short) tracks in photographic emulsions has been observed. This gives the sign of the charge, but the large amount of scattering makes the deflected tracks useless for calculation of momentum. This is a disadvantage of nuclear emulsion.
Self 1) 2)
Check
Exercise 1
How is a cloud formed in the cloud chamber? What are the other compounds that can be used in the cloud chamber? Indicate the advantage.
Self
Check
Exercise 2
1)
How
does
bubble
chamber
work?
Discuss
the
advantages
when
compared to the cloud chamber. 2) Write a note on nuclear emulsion method, in tracking nuclear particles.
19.3 Let us Sum Up The designs of cloud chamber and applications are explained in detail. The advantages of bubble chamber and nuclear emulsion techniques are
indicated.
i) ii)
The designs of the cloud chamber and applications The advantages of the bubble chamber and nuclear emulsion
techniques.
19.5 References 1) Source book on Atomic Energy by Glass tone East West press India.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES INTRODUCTION THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF COUNTERS 20.2.1 20.2.2 Proportional Scintillation Counters counters
REFERENCES
ii)
20.1. INTRODUCTION
found the
that result
gases of
become exposure
electrical to
radiations
substances.
A rapidly moving charged particle like alpha or beta particle has the ability to eject orbital electrons from the atoms or molecules of a gas The ejected form negative
through which it passes, thus converting them into positive ions. electrons ions. attach themselves to other atoms or molecules, to
formation of Ion- pairs consisting mainly of positive ions and free electrons. A term 'Specific ionisation' is used to express the intensity of ionisation
216 produced by a charged particle in its path. formed per cm of path. It is the number of ion- pairs
ionisation increases with the magnitude of the charge, and for particles of the same energy and charge it increases with the mass.
The
total
number
of
ion- pairs
produced
by
charged
particle
is
20.2.1
PROPORTIONAL
COUNTERS
One has to understand the behaviour of ion- pairs in electric fields. Quantitative measurements of radiations are based on counting of individual
particles, as well as on the determination of total radiation received in a given interval of time. For these purposes instruments have been developed
in which the positive and negative ions formed by the ionising radiations are driven towards the collecting electrodes, by means of an applied potential
Consider for example an apparatus consisting of a vessel, containing gas or air, in which two electrodes, connected to a battery are fixed. circuit also contains a current measuring instrument. The
vessel does not conduct electricity and hence no current is observed. ionising radiation such as alpha or beta particle enters the vessel small electric
and when a
and the applied potential would produce a pulse of current. The magnitude of the charge collected and therefore the size of the current pulse will depend on two factors viz.
i)
ii)
the
applied
voltage.
217 When number of logarithm regions of pulse be size is plotted A few against these applied regions voltage have a
could
obtained.
been
The
proportional
voltage across the electrodes, the size of the current pulse is proportional to the number of Ion- pairs produced between the electrodes. best obtained by using a cylindrical chamber, which acts This condition is as the negative
When the voltage is high enough, the electric field near the central wire becomes so large that the electrons, produced by the primary ionization of the gas, by an alpha or beta particle, would move toward it with very high speed. When the speed becomes very high the electrons would cause the
ionization of the other atoms or molecules in the gas, this produces more electrons which cause further ionization. This multiplication effect is often
The
total
called the gas amplification factor. The size of the current produced by a single particle is thus increased to a very great extent, so that considerably less external amplification is required. Pulse counting is employed in a
proportional counter.
In the proportional counter the magnitude of the potential ranges from 500 to 800 volts. Various gases have been employed for filling proportional counter tubes. A mixture is used consisting of a simple gas such as hydrogen
or Argon, which favours high amplification and a gas like carbon dioxide, methane or pentane, to provide stability of operation For (eg) a typical gas mixture consists of methane and 10 to 20% by volume of argon.
The proportional
total
pressure of
is the
always
less
than an
1 alpha
atm.
Because will
of give
the a
character
amplification,
particle
larger pulse than a Beta particle or a gamma ray photom. Hence proportional
218 counting instruments are particularly useful for counting alpha part c l e s i n i
This counter is widely used in radioactive counting. It is known as GM counter. Because the detecting portion is commonly in the form of a tube, the names Geiger - Muller tube or G- M tube are commonly used.
The essential difference between the proportional and the GM counter is that, in the proportional counter an electron from an ion- pair, produces an
avalanche at one point only, whereas in the G.M. Counter, the avalanche spreads along the whole length of the central wire. In the Geiger counter, the amplification is so great that the size of the pulse is almost independent of the number of Ion- pairs. When the applied potential in the instrument reaches a value known as 'Geiger threshold potential', the number of pulses per
minutes ( due to the production of ion- pairs by the entering alpha or beta particles), becomes essentially constant. The range of potential plateau, over which
continuous
discharge occurs and counting is not possible. Most G.M counters are filled with gas at pressure below atmospheric pressure, when the plateau may
extend over a range of two or three hundred volts in the region from about 800 to 1500 volts. The trouble with GM counter is that, the separate pulses produced by different particles entering the Geiger tube are not resolved. To improve the resolving power of the G.M counter a mixture of gases like argon and methane is used for filling the Geiger tube. This quenches the discharge (self quenching) and resolution is improved.
When properly quenched (internally or externally) a G.M counter will have a resolving time of about 200 micro second, in other words, particles arriving at intervals of not less than 2 x 10- 4 seconds will give separate
pulses. If the particles were produced at a uniform rate, a maximum of 5000 pulses could be counted per second. less- than this maximum. Actually the practical counting rate is
219
The GM tube is almost invariably used to determine the rate at which radiation is being received at a particular point. For this purpose the output
Because of their versatility GM tubes have been made in great variety of sizes and shapes from 1 cm to 1 m in length and from 0.3 cm to 10 cm in diameter. The walls can be of metal, e.g., copper, or a metal cylinder may be In another form of GM tube the interior
surface of the glass tube is coated with a thin layer of an electrical conductor like silver or graphite. The central wire of the GM tube (which acts like 0.05 mm the
anode) is usually made of tungsten, with a thickness of 0.02 to pressure in the GM tube is usually less than atmospheric pressure.
G- M
counters
are
mainly
used
for
counting
beta
and
gamma
rays,
partly became it is difficult to make tubes with windows thin enough to be penetrable by alpha particles. When the penetrating power of the beta
radiation is small, the tube may have a very thin glass or mica window through which the particles can pass.
In health protection operation, it is required to know that radioactive material is present and to know a rough indication of the quantity of
radiation. convenient.
For this purpose the GM counter with a rate meter is very GM tubes are rarely designed to detect alpha particles, because
For
the
detection
and
rough
measurement
of
the
intensity
of a l p h a
20.2.2.
SCINTILLATION
COUNTER
This is one of the oldest methods of counting particles. small flashes are of light (or to scintillations), nuclear which are The produced
materials
exposed
radiations.
production
220 scintillations, involves the initial formation of high energy (or excited)
been obtained from the nuclear radiation, is then emitted within a very short time as a flash of light. Each particle produces a flash of light.
The scintillations
first they
attempt generated
to in
count a
alpha
by by
observing
the
diamond
E Regen e r i n -
Germany in 1908.
number of pulses, produced by Ra- c source, in an ionization counter and the number of scintillations produced by the same source, on a ZnS screen and they found that the numbers were the same. Thus if each alpha particle gives
one pulse in the counter, it also gives one flash in the scintillation counter.
Ford and Geiger established the reliability of counting, produce alpha particles. when Certain exposed large organic to and
inorganic
phosphors
which
scintillations
nuclear quantities
Therefore
photo multiplier tube in a scintillation counter along with the phosphor, helps in the counting of particles from a radio active source. o f n a p h t h a l e n e as scintillation counter. phosphor was employed with a A large clear crystal phototube in the
attached to the top, close to the cathode of the phototube. foil is to reflect the light flashes on to the cathode.
radiation (or gamma ray photon) entering the phosphor causes a flash of light, which falls on the photo cathode. As a result electrons are emitted and electric pulse
at the output of the tube. Of the solid organic scintillators, anthracene and transstilbene appear to be the best. Liquid scintillators (solution containing
xylene as the solvent and a few percent of diphenyl oxazole as the solute have also been employed in scintillation counters. One of the best inorganic
221 scintillators 0.1%. expecially as for gamma rays, Zns, is crystalline by sodium Ag is iodide an with
Thallium
activator.
activated
excellent
When
rapid
response
is
required
NaI
scintillator
cannot
be
satisfactorily used.
counters
have
found
many
uses
due
to
the
following
ii)
Flexible
and
versatile
high sensitivity to all forms of nuclear radiations. rapid response v) very short resolving time
can be used to measure photon energies superior to GM counters for gamma ray detection.
Self Check
Exercise 1
1. 2. 3.
How are ion- pairs produced in an ionization chamber? Discuss the design and uses of proportional counters. Write a note on G.M. counter and also indicate its advantages
Self Check
Exercise 2
1. 2.
Discuss the design and uses of scintillation counters How many types of phosphors are used in the scintillation counters?
20.3 Let us Sum Up The designs and advantages of different types of counters are explained in a detailed manner. The G.M. Counter is explained and its advantage is indicated. Examples of different types of phosphors used in Slintillation
i) ii)
types of counters
20.5 References i) ii) Inorganic chemistry J.D. Lee Source book on atomic energy g l a s s t o n East west press - India
223 LESSON 2 1 CONTENTS 21.0 21.1 21.2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES INTRODUCTION PARTICLE ACCELERATORS 21.2.1 CYCLOTRONS 21.2.2 BETATRON- BEVATRON 21.3 21.4 21.5 LET US SUM UP POINTS FOR DISCUSSION
REFERENCES
21.0
The aim of this lesson is to make an in depth study of different types of particle accelerators.
i)
The design and the uses of accelerators for accelerating the variou s types of particles
ii)
The
energies
attained
by
different
particles,
when
particles
are
21.1
INTRODUCTION
A particle accelerator is a device for increasing the kinetic energy of electrically charged particles. Upto about one tenth of the velocity of light, the kinetic energy can be calculated by means of Mo V2 , where mo is the rest mass of the particle and V its velocity.
Since 'm' is constant, increase of kinetic energy implies increase of v e l o c i t y . I t is kinetic energy, the for is this called reason an of that the machine As mass the also employed velocity for of increasing particle these
the Under
approaches
velocity
increases.
224 circumstances, an accelerator can increase the kinetic energy with very little increase in velocity.
M a n y n u c l ear
reactions
have
been
studied
by
high
energy
particles.
Accelerators have been used in the creation of new particles. The muon and mesons have been discovered using high energy particles. Several additional
particles not previously known have been found using high energy particles. Calculations indicate that protons with energy of 5.6billion electron volts
would be required to create antiprotons and antineutrons. The anti protons and antineutron and of are not known to occur in nature. For was the discovery at of the
antiprotons University
antineutrons.
Beaverton
accelerator
designed
California.
Accelerators have also been designed to study the nuclear structure, the nuclear forces and strong and weak inter actions.
Protons of 400 to 1000 MeV energy are used to produce intense beam of pions. Natural decay of pions may inturn yield muons and neutrons of high energy.
The
growth
of
high
energy
particle
physics
is
due
to
the
particle
accelerators.
21.2.1 CYCLOTRONS
Lawrence
modified
the
'Wideroe'
Cylindrical
(linear
accelerators)
accelerator by using a magnetic field to make the charged particles follow a spiral path, of increasing radius. The length of the path would then increase
automatically with the speed of the particles. The 'cyclotron' was designed on the basis of this principle.
The first accelerator to yield protons of energy in excess of 1 MeV was the cyclotron constructed by Lawrence and Livingston in 1932. It had a magnet with pole faces 11 inches in diameter. The energy to which a particle
225 can be accelerated in a cyclotron increases with the radius of the magnet and with the strngth of the magnetic field.
The cyclotron consists of two flat semicircular boxes known as 'dees' because of their shape. These does are surrounded by a close v e s s e l , d
containing a gas at low pressure, placed between the poles of a magnet. A radio- frequency alternating potential, of about 10 to 20 mega cycles per
second, is applied between the dees, which act as electrodes. An electrically heated filament in the vessel, produces a stream of electrons, which cause ionization of the gas such as deuterium or helium contained in the vessel. The filament deuterons thus or can alpha be regarded as the source at of any positive particular ions (protons), the
particles.
Suppose
that
instant
alternating potential is in the direction which makes the first 'dee' positive and the second 'dee' negative. A positive ion from the source would be attracted to the second D which is negative), but as a uniform magnetic field a c t s i n a direction at right angles, the particle will move in a circular path. The radius 'r' of the particle is given by r = mv/Be (1) where
'm' is the mass of the ion, 'e' is its charge 'v' its velocity and 'B' is the strength of the magnetic field.
While it is in the interior of the dee, the speed of the ion remains constant. But after describing semicircular path through the second dee, the particle reaches the gap between the dees, where it becomes subject to the action of the applied of potential the difference. When the the first dee, ion becomes will be
negative,
(because
alternating
potential)
positive
accelerated toward the first dee. Since its energy is consequently greater than it was originally the ion will move faster, i.e, 'v' will increase. Therefore the
circular path in the first dee will have larger radius, under the influence of the magnetic field, as per equation (1). The significant property of the
cyclotron is that the time taken by the particle to traverse the semicircular path is independent of the velocity of the particle or of the radius of the path. In other words, the increase in length of the path, due to the larger radius, is exactly compensated by the increase in velocity of the ion. The time taken to
226 traverse the path 'T' is given by T= p r/V ----------- (2); r = radius of the path. from (1) T = p m/Be ----------- (3).
Thus 'T' is independent of both V and r. This means that if the frequency of oscillation is adjusted to the nature of the ion and to the
strength of the magnetic field, the charged particle will always keep in phase with the changes of electric potential between the dees. Thus each time the particle crosses the gap from first dee (D1 ) to second dee, ( D 2 ) it will receive an additional impulse toward D2 ; on the other hand when it crosses from D2 t o D 1 it will be accelerated toward D1 , for the direction of potential will then be reversed. The result of these repeated impulses is that the energy of the ion is steadily increased, and at the same time it describes a flat spiral of increasing radius. Eventually the ion reaches the periphery of the dee and it can be brought out of the dee chamber by means of a deflecting plate, which is charged to a high negative potential. The attractive force acting on the
positive ion draws the latter out of its spiral path, and it can be used to bombard any desired material. Although the above description refers single particle, the source supplies ions to a
The maximum velocity at the periphery is given by : BeR/m (R is the radius of the dee).
Therefore the kinetic energy 'E' of the ion, coming out of the cyclotron is: E= M (BeR/m)2 E = B2 R 2 /2 x e2 /m. It can be seen from this equation
2 that the maximum energy acquired by a particle is determined by B R2 .
Therefore in order to obtain ions of high energy, it is necessary to increase the strength and size of the magnet. By using a 60 inch particles of 40MeV were obtained. cyclotron alpha
SYNCHROCYCLOTRON At higher energies, the rest mass of the particle increases (due to
227 (obtained from 60 inch cyclotron) has a velocity about 0.145 times the
velocity of light. Its effective mass is 1.01 times the rest mass, as given by. m = mo/ 1- V2 /C 2 ; V is the velocity of the particle, mo is its rest mass and 'C' the velocity of highest.
At higher energies, the mass of the particle increases to such an extent that its effect becomes appreciable. As the mass of the ion increases, the time of transit 'T' also increases (T & m at constant B). Because of this the particle will no longer be in phase with the alternating potential, and
For the 'T' to be unaffected by the increase in mass, the magnetic field is left unchanged but the frequency of the oscillating potential is decreased so that fm = constant, f = frequency m mass of the particle. MCmillan
(1945) pointed that if the oscillation frequency is adjusted continuously to coincide revolution with of the the decreasing charged frequency is of revolution of the particl,the with the
particle
automatically
synchronized
changing frequency of the alternating of potential. The action is similar to that in a synchronous motor and hence the name 'Synchrotron' was proposed by Mc Millan.
The cyclotron was modified to permit variation of oscillation frequency to compensate for the increase in mass of the machine is referred to as a 'Synchrocyclotron' accelerated or a ions. Hence the
frequency
modulated
cyclotron. It uses a single dee instead of two dees, the oscillating potential being applied between it and a ground connection. Every time a charged particle enters or leaves the dee, it acquires additional energy, so that it follows a spiral path (just as if two does were employed) R.F frequency is
decreased to compensate for the gain in mass of the particle as its speed increases. energy By using produced. improved frequency modulators, protons of 720MeV
were
The conventional cyclotron is not used to accelerate electrons because of the large relativistic increase in mass even at fairly low energy. This is because deuteron. mo for electron is very small compared with that of a proton or
For
specified
particle
energy,
lower
magnetic
field
strength
is
required in a cyclotron of a given size for the acceleration of electrons than for protons because of smaller mass. Electron cyclotrons have been designed
without iron- core magnets, the necessary magnetic fields being provided by the passage of electric currents through suitably shaped coils.
21.2.2
BETATRON:
For the acceleration of electrons to high energies, above approximately 1MeV, the cyclotron principle is not applicable. Electrostatic accelerators of the type 'van de Graff' generator are useful upto 10 to 20 MeV. For energies
of the order of 100 MeV, other devices have to be employed. For this purposes, D.W.Kerst developed 'Betatron', since it was designed to accelerate
electrons (which are identical with beta particles). The first useful induction accelerator, the betatron, accelerated an electron to an energy of 2.3 MeV.
The
action
of
the
betatron
is
based
on
the
familiar
principle
of
transformer. In the transformer an alternating current applied to a primary coil induces a similar current, usually with a higher or lower voltage, in the secondary windings.
glass (or ceramics) tube. It is often called a 'dough nut'. This is placed between the poles of a specially shaped electromagnet, energized by pulsed current passing through the coils. The purpose of this magnet is to produce a strong field in the central space or "hole" of the dough nut, and therefore it is constructed with a good amount of iron in the core. Heated filaments produce
229 electrons and these are given initial acceleration by application of an electric field having a potential difference of 20,000 to 70,000 volts. Even with low energies, thus obtained, the electrons travel at very high speeds, from nearly 1/5th to the velocity of light.
As the field strength starts are injected due into to the an field. doughnut. induced
to increase, the partly accelerated electrons The energy within of the the moving electrons by is the
increased growing
EMF,
doughnut,
caused
magnetic
forced into a curved path. The increasing magbetic field keeps them moving in a circle of constant radius. The equation r = mv/Be shows that as the field strength moves in proportion to the momentum of the electrons, 'r', remains constant. Thus, the electrons are kept moving around the doughnut in a fairly stable, circular path. in each trun the electron acquires energy. When the magnetic field reaches the maximum point of the since wave cycle, a pulse current is sent through an auxiliary coil, which suddenly changes the
magnetic field. The high energy electrons are displaced from their stable path and can be used to produce x- rays or can be used for other purposes.
can the to he
electrons
with by
very the
high
energies. in
Since of
unaffected energy, by it
increase appear
mass
would of
that But
extremely the
possible
means
betatron.
accelerated
electrons lose energy by radiation and hence there is a limit to the energy that can be acquired by electrons in the betatron. Energy losses have been
PROTON SYNCHROTRON Attempts were made to produce particles of very high energies in the range of thousands of MeV ie billion electron volt (109 ). Radiation losses, i n
the case of electrons prevented from acquiring electrons of BeV range. But
230 with protons loss due to radiation is small. Hence protons can be accelerated to very high energies using cyclic accelerator.
were
produced.
The proton synchrotron consists of four quadrants joined by straight pieces. In the Berkeley beavatron, the radius of each quadrant is about 55' and the connecting pieces are ~20' long. Alternating current is used for energing
purposes. The magnet consists of a large number of plates surrounding only the quadrants of the doughnut. Protons accelerated to about 6 to 10 MeV, initially by vande Graff generator, is injected into the synchrotron. After
having their energy increased, as a result of many revolutions, the protons are removed by a deflector. Injection and removal take place outside the magnetic field.
To keep the protons in the synchrotron moving in a circular path of constant radius, the strength of the magnetic field is increased in proportion
to the momentum. Similarly for proper synchrotron action, the frequency of the radio frequency alternations is increased in such a manner that the
In proton synchrotron deviations from circular path, of particles occur, as a result of fluctuations. The deviations are observed both in horizontal and vertical direction. are The magnet is designed in such a way that both the
deviations
decreased.
Zero gradient synchrotron is designed to accelerate energies by using a stronger magnetic field than in
synchrotron.
Self 1.
Check
Exercise 4
Calculate the mass of an electron, when its velocity becomes equal to 1/5th the velocity of light.
Self 1.
Check Discuss
2.
21.3 Let us Sum UP i) Cyclotron and its design are discussed in detail. Synchroogclotron is explained. synchrotron Betatron is and Bevatron are discussed in detail. Zero gradient
explained.
ii)
How does the mass increase affect the operation of cyclotron and the modifications introduced in Synchrocylotron?
iii)
21.5 References 1) Source book on atomic energy by Glass tone East West press India.
232
REFERENCES
22.0
The
aims of
and
objectives
of
this
lesson
are
to
understand such as
the
methodologies gravimetric
different and
thermal
analyses thermal
techniques .
thermo through
analysis
differential
analysis
After
going
this lesson you would be able to use these methods to Obtain information concerning the detailed structure and composition
of different phases of a given sample. Understand how heats of reactions are obtained and used to determine the purity of materials.
22.1 22.2.1
Thermal
analysis
includes
group
of
techniques
in
which
specific
physical properties of a material are measured as a (Table 1.1). The production of new high
function of temperature
resulting requirement for a more precise characterization of these substances have increased the demand for thermal analysis techniques. Current areas of
233 application product Thermal properties coals. measure dimensional An include environmental stability, has been chemical used to measurements, reactions determine boards, and the composition dynamic and analysis, properties. chemical and can
reliability, analysis of
physical
polymers,
electronic
circuit
geological
materials, 1.1)
modern
thermal
analysis
instrument energies
(Figure of
temperatures, and
weigh
losses,
transitions,
viscoelastic
properties.
Thermal analyses.
is be
useful
in
both and
and by
Samples of
identified
investigations detailed
thermal
behaviour. of different
concerning
structure
composition
of a given sample is
obtained from the analysis of thermal data. Quantitative results are obtained from changes in weight and enthalpy as the sample is heated. The
temperatures of phase changes and reactions as well as heats of reaction are used to determine the purity of materials.
Table 1.1 SUMMARY OF THERMAL ANALYSIS THECHNIQUES Techniques Differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) Quantity Measured Heats of and Temperatures and Typical application Reaction analysis kinetic, polymer purity cures
transitions
reactions Differential thermal analysis (DTA) Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) Thermo mechanical analysis (TMA) Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) Evolved (EGA) gas analysis Dimension changes Modulus, damping and and Temperatures of transitions and reactions Phase diagrams, thermal
Weight change
viscosity Softening temperatures, expansion coefficients Impact resistance, mechanical stability Analysis organic of volatile of
components
FIG 22.1
235
The
use
of
microprocessors
has
both
enhanced
and
simplified
the
techniques of thermal analysis. The sample is heated at a programmed rate in the controlled environment of the furnace. Changes in selected properties of a sample are monitored by specific transducers; which generate voltage signals.
The signal is then amplified, digitized and stored on a magnetic disk along with the corresponding direct temperature responses from the sample. The
data may also be displayed or plotted in real time. The microcomputer is used to process the data with a library of applications software of designed for
thermal systems
analysis allow a
techniques. single
The
multitasking to
capabilities several
some thermal
computer analyzers
microcomputer
operate
simultaneously
and
independently.
major
advantage
of
microcomputer
systems
in
thermal
analysis
is
that the operator seldom, if ever, needs to repeat an analysis because of an improper choice of ordinate scale sensitivity. The software does this
rescaling after all the data have been collected. In some systems both axes are automatically rescaled after the last data point has been received. When the amount is of time necessary For to obtain a thermal data is considered, the
advantage 10 o C/min
obvious. room
example, to
differential
scanning c a l o r i m e t r i c r u n
from
temperature
rerun of the sample would take longer than 2hr including the time required for cooling and sample reloading.
DIFFERTIAL ANALYSIS
SCANNING
CALORIMETRY
AND
DIFFERENTIAL
scanning techniques.
calorimetry In this
(DSC)
has
become sample
the
most
used
technique,
the
and
reference
materials are subjected to a precisely programmed temperature change. When a thermal transition (a chemical or physical change that results in the
emission or absorption of heat) occurs in the sample, thermal energy is added to either the sample, or the reference containers in order to maintain both the sample and reference at the same temperature (Figure 1.2(a)). Becaus t h e e
236 energy transferred is exactly equivalent in magnitude to the energy absorbed or evolved in the transition, the balancing energy yields a direct calorimetric measurement of the transition energy. Since DSC can measure directly both the temperature and the enthalpy of a transition or the heat of a reaction, it is
often substituted for differential thermal analysis as a means of determining these quantities except in certain high- temperature applications.
In
differential
thermal
analysis
(DTA),
the
difference
in
temperature
between the sample and a thermally inert reference material is measured as a function of temperature (usually the sample temperature) (Figure 1.2(b). Any transition that the sample undergoes results in liberation or absorption of
energy by the sample with a corresponding deviation of its temperature from that of the reference. A plot of the differential temperature, T, versus the programmed whether the temperature, transition analyses T, is indicates the transition or the temperature (s) and and as a
exothermic of
endothermic. change in
DTA weight
thermogravimetric
(measurement
237 inserted into the centre of the material in each chamber. The furnace and sample blocks are than heated by a microprocessor controlled heating
element. The difference in temperature between sample and re f e r e n c e ( S , R ) thermocouples, After connected (about in 1000 series times) opposition, by a is continuously again, measured.
amplification for
high
low noise dc
amplifier
t h e y - axis. The temperature of the furnace is measured by an independent thermocouple and recorded as the x- axis. Because the thermocouple is placed in direct contact with the sample, DTA provides the highest thermometric accuracy of all thermal methods. DTA can be used in the from - 190 temperature range to 1600o C. Sample sizes are similar to those used in DSC.
the area of a DTA peak is proportional to the heat of mass of the sample, is it a is inversely function of proportional grain to the and
thermal
diffusivity,
which
size
compactness. This inverse relationship prevents. DTA peak areas from being used to provide direct calorimetric measurements. It is necessary to calibrate a DTA instrument for each type of sample and to carefully control
a quantitative measurement of any weight changes associated with thermally induced transitions. For example, TG can record directly the loss in weight as a function of that temperature involve or time (when or under isothermal conditions) for
transitions
dehydration
decomposition.
Thermogravimetric
curves are characteristics of a given compound or material due to the unique sequence definite of physical transitions The and rates chemical of these reactions thermally that occur over
temperature
ranges.
induced
processes
are often a function of the molecular structure. Changes in weight result f r o m physical and chemical bonds forming and breaking at elevated temperatures. These processes may evolve votatile products or from reaction products that result in a change in weight of the sample. TG data are useful in
kinetics of the reactions and transitions that result from the application of heat to these materials. The useful temperature ranges for TG is from ambient to 1200o C in either inert or reactive atmospheres.
In TG
the
weight
of
the
sample
is
continuously
recorded
as
the
temperature is increased. Samples are placed in a crucible or shallow dish that is positioned in a furnace on a quartz beam attached to an automatic recording balance. Figure 1.3 shows a TG instrument that contains a tautband suspension electromechanical transducer. The horizontal quartz beam is
maintained in the null position by the current flowing through the transducer coil of an electromagnetic balance. A pair of photosensitive diodes acts as a position sensor to determine the movement of the beam. Any change in the weight of the sample causes a deflection of the beam, which is sensed by one of the photodiodes. The beam is then restored to the original null position by a feedback current sent from the photodiodes to the coil of the balance. The current is proportional to the change in weight of the sample.
FIG 22.3
Linear heating rates from 5 to 10o C/min are typical. Sample sizes range from 1 to 300mg. Computer software allows the computation of w/ t,
which is important in kinetic interpretations of reactions and processes. TG has been used in the kinetic analysis of polymer stability, Compositional
EVOLVED GAS DETECTION AND ANALYSIS The analysis, is useful analysis differential in of the purge gas exit stream from differential thermal
scanning
and and
establishing In
thermal
decompositions.
gas
analysis
(EGA)
absolute
identities of the gaseous components are determined, whereas in evolved gas detection (EGD) the presence of only a single. preselected component of the evolved gas is sensed. An appropriate analyzer may be coupled to a
thermogravimetric system for performing either EGA of EGD. The resulting hyphenated methods are powerful analytical tools. Two analyzers that have
been successfully coupled to TG systems are mass spectrometers (MS) and flame ionization detectors (FID). The TG- MS or TG- MS- MS used for evolved gas analysis, whereas the TG- FID evolved gas combination is
combination
provides
The is shown
simultaneous in figure.
TG- DTA- MS analysis of copper sulfate- pentahydrate 1.4. The quadrupole changes of mass water during spectrometer during the
o
detects
the to
intensity of
dehydration
sulpur
dioxide
two s t e p s u l f a t e -
decomposition to copper (II) oxide between 600 and 900 C is also clearly seen. Electron impact ionization in the MS is responsible for the production of sulfur monoxide (SO) radical ions.
240
FIG 22.5
22.2.2 APPLICATIONS METHODOLOGY DIFFERENTIAL AND OF THERMOGRAVIMETRY, CALORIMETRY ANALYSIS
SCANNING
DIFFERENTIAL
THERMAL
Thermogravimetry (TG)
The weight- change TG curve for calcium oxalate monohydrate is shown in Fig- 1.5. Water is evolved beginning slightly above 100o C. At about 250o C the curve breaks at the stoichiometry corresponding to that of the anhydrous s a l t . F u r t h er heating gives definite weight plateaus for the carbonate (from 500 to 600o C) and finally the oxide (hotter than about 870o C ) . E x a c t
locations of the weight plateaus are dependent on the heating rate (a slower heating rate shifts values to lower temperatures) and the ambient atmosphere around the sample particles. The curve is quantitative in that calculations can be made to determine the stoichiometry of the compound at any given
temperature.
Thermal Deviations
analysis by
is
affected
by
the include
caused
instrumental
factors
and shape of the furnace and sample holder, sample holder material and its
241 resistance to corrosive attack, wire and bead size of the thermocouple
location of the thermocouples in the sample and reference chambers. Another set of factors that influence layer the results depends size, on the sample
characteristics;'
these
include
thickness,
particle
packing density,
amount of sample, thermal conductivity of the sample material, heat capacity, the ease with the which gaseous effluents can escape, and the atmosphere
surroundings
sample.
Thermogravimetry, a valuable tool in its own right, is perhaps most useful when it complements differential thermal analysis studies. Virtually
all weight- change processes absorb or release energy and are thus measurable by DTA or DSC, but not all energy- c hange changes in weight. to be This made difference between in the processes two and are accompanied enables a by clear the
techniques chemical
distinction
physical
changes
when
FIG 22.5
used to determine the composition of
complex materials such as carbon black- filled rubber. Figure 1.6 shows the
from room temperature to 950o C and then quickly changing the atmosphere to air. Heating the sample in an inert environment results in the
FIG 22.6
pyrolitic decomposition of the rubber and gives the first major weight loss observed in the scan. The addition of air at 950o C causes the carbon black to undergo combustion to produce the second loss in weight, leaving in the balance pan only inert filler. All the major components of the rubber sample were determined quantitatively from a single TG scan.
DIFFERENTIAL
SCANNING
CALORIMETRY
(DSC)
In general, each substance gives a DSC or DTA curve in which the number, features shape serves and as a position means of of the various endothermic of and the exothermic substance.
qualitative
identification
When an endothermic change occurs, the sample temperature lags behind the reference temperature because of the heat in the sample. The initiation point
for a phase change or chemical reaction is the point at which the curve first
243 deviates from the baseline. When the transition is complete, thermal diffusion brings the sample indicates back the to equilibrium at quickly. which The the peak reaction (or is minimum) completed.
temperature
temperature
When the break is not sharp, a reproducible point is obtained by drawing one line tangent to the baseline and another tangent to the initial slope of the curve.
behaviors
FIG 22.7
baseline. A broad endotherm indicates a slow change in heat capacity. A "Second order or glass" transition observed as a baseline shift (T1 ), denotes a decrease in order within the system. This is the temperature at which a polymer material. changes The from lower a the brittle, glass glasslike transition material to a tough, the resilient the
temperature,
lower
temperature at which the polymer is useful in applications, such as adhesives o r i m p a c t - resistant structures. In a thermoset, a high glass transi ion t
temperature indicates incomplete cure of the resin; In a thermoplastic, a high galss transition temperature in the indicates the of use the of the wrong itself. plasticizer or
incomplete generally
reaction represent
formation
polymer
Endotherms
(T 3 ) are indicative of crystalline rearrangements, or solid- state relatively pure materials. Broader endotherms (T2 ) cover
behaviour
ranging
244 from of with dehydration polymers. the and temperature dependent (without a phase phase behaviors decomposition) or chemical of a to is the melting associated Narrow system,
Exothermic in
behaviour of
decrease usually
enthalpy
system.
exotherms
indicate
crystallization
(ordering)
metastable
organic, inorganic, amorphous polymer, or liquid, energy resulting from mechanical or stress. curing Broad of
exotherms thermosetting
denote resins.
chemical Exotherms
reactions, with
polymerization,
decompositions
broad depending on the kinetics of the behavior. Explosives and propellants are sharpest, and the "Unzipping" of polyvinyl chloride is rapid, whereas
heating cycle (Figure 1.7). Since T4 does not recur on cooling, the reaction is obviously taking the nonreversible system up (perhaps to T4 , a the pyrolytic cooling decomposition). be started Instead before of that cycle
temperature. As it cools, the substance is seen to lose its transition peak at T3. Judging from the area under the T2 peak, the transition energy of T3 h a s been added to T2 . retained energy This indicates in a one metastable large condition at a at T 3 , lower with the being released step temperature.
Further along the cooling curve, the glass transition at T1 falls properly into place to complete the cycle.
Determining
the
significance
of
thermoanalysis
curves
is not always a
straightforward task. A reference library of curves of specific interest to a particular storage products laboratory and or quick thermal is vital. Computerized of data. points systems offer the capability on of
retrieval transition
data
commercial in the
substances
reported
literature are of little value for the comparison with a dynamically scanned thermal thermally profile. evolved Complementary gaseous techniques with are valuable. The correlation calorimetry of or
products
differential
scanning
differential thermal analysis transitions using evolved gas analysis or evolved gas detection often assists in elucidating the decomposition mechanism.
Example 2 The TG and DTA curves of manganese phosphinate monohydrate shown in Fugure.1.8. The are
sample run under vacuum and with the analysis of effluent gases showed the loss of 1 mole of water at 150o C, 1 mole of phosphine at
246
o 360 o C, and the slow loss of another mole of water starting around 800 C.
After comparison with the DTA curve, two major peaks remain unidentified: the large exotherm at 590o C and the endotherm at 118o C, plus several smaller thermal under features. vacuum and Thermogravimetric in a nitrogen data obtained failed from to runs show performed any loss
atmosphere
associated with these peaks. Each sample was measured for its real density. The resulting data are shown on the DTA curve, Undoubtedly the sharp DTA exotherm at 590o C represents a phase change. The relatively small endotherm starting above 900o C must represent a recrystallization exotherm following
the elimination of water. Which is superimposed on the latter endotherm. The peak at 1180o C is due and to melting. With this information the thermal
decompositions
reaction
Mn(PH 2 O 2 ) 2 (s) + H2 O(g) Mn HPO 4 (s) + PH3 ( g ) b - MnHPO 4 (s) Mn 2 P 2 O 7 (s) + H2 O(g) Mn 2 P 2 O 7 (l) (and recrystallization)
Thermal studies with polymers can predict a product's performance in use that is, its stiffness, and toughness, or stability. are Melting point, Phase Once
transition,
Pyrolysis,
curing
temperatures
accurately
measured.
a polymer has been broadly classified by other, methods, curves are often used to establish, by comparison with known reference materials, the degree of polymerization, the thermal history of the sample, crystal perfection and orientation, of the effect of different the coreactants extent of and catalysts, branching. branched the For chain percentage example, polymer
crystalline for a
polymer,
and
chain
curves
nonlinear,
show a continuous series of rather broad and low- melting- point endotherms, whereas single a high- molecular- weight, and cured, stereo regular, endotherm. may linear If a an polymer polymer reveals has a
narrow
been at a
incompletely
reveal
exotherm
247 temperature exotherm which just close to the the one melting is used for the polymerization "cold being reaction. An
below if a
indicates after
crystallization," melted. On
results
sample form
quickly
reheating,
crystallites
rapidly
If the molecular weight or density of a polymer has been established by appropriate (often lengthly) methods, subsequent determination of its melt
temperature (a 15- min process) can be related to molecular weight or density. Product polymer appropriate quality is maintained to obtain subsequently molecular by simply or examining densities curves from of an
materials
weights
calibrated graph.
Instead of using the traditional method of preparing a derivative from the organic sample and a reagent, the sample is heated with a specific reagent at a programmed heating rate in a selected atmosphere. The DTA or DSC curve shows the derivative forming reaction, the physical transitions of the
sample or reagent (whichever is in excess), and the physical transitions of the intermediates and final products. When one reactant is volatile and in excess, a rerun usually shows only the derivative characteristics.
The area of exotherms or endotherms is used to calculate the heat of the reaction or the heat of a phase transition. Suitable calibration is necessary with DTA equipment, but the values are given directly with DSC instruments.
undergoes a process of melting. This melting destroys the crystal structure of the polymer and is an endothermic process. Although plastics usually melt over a temperature range, the melting point is defined as the temperature at which the melting is complete. The melting point of a plastic is an important property because it is minimum temperature for processing the plastic and the maximum temperature for applications where structural integrity is required.
248 A second important is the its property percent useful for the characterization Many are of semi crystalline that
crystallinity. attributes
physical on
properties the
plastic
dependent
percent
crystallinity.
Both the melting point and the percent crystallinity are obtained from a single differential scanning calorimetry scan (Figure 1.9). The melting is taken as 133o C, d i f f e r e n t i a l scanning where the melting is is approximately quantitative, the complete. peak point Since area is
calorimetric
directly
equal to the heat fusion. Hf , in units of calories per gram. The percent crystallinity is determined by assuming that the heat of fusion is proportional to the percent of crystallinity of the sample. Thus if the heat of fusion of 100% Polyethylene has been determined to be 68.4 cal/g and the measured
heat for the sample is 54.5 cal/g the percent crystallinity is 79.7%, as shown in figure 1.9.
FIG 22.9
thermal
analysis
techniques?
give
their
applications in a few words. 2. 3. 4. Self 1. 2. 3. What is the importance of microcomputer system in thermal analysis. Explain the process of DTA. Give any one disadvantage of DTA . Check Exercise 2
Describe thermogravimetry. Discuss the thermogravimetric method with an example. 20 Mg sample of crystalline calcium oxalate of molar mass 146, in a thermal sample. study loses about 2.46mg H2 O above 150o C. Formulate the
Activity: Run a TGA and DTA for a known sample from the instrument available in the Chemistry Department of Bharathiyar University.
reaction and the mass of the sample, it is inversely proportional to the sample thermal diffusivity which is a function of inverse relation prevents, DTA peak areas grain size and compactness. The from being used for direct
calorimetric measurements. It is necessary to calibrate a DTA instrument for each obtain type of sample and to carefully control experimental parameters to
useful
thermodynamic
data.
22.3 Let us Sum Up i) Theories of TGA and DTA are discussed in detail ii) Experimental methods are illustrated iii) The applications of TGA and DTA techniques are illustrated using typical TG and DTA curves for a few compounds.
250 22.4 Points for Discussions: i) ii) The different thermal methods and their application may be discussed. Obtain interpret TGA the and DTA curves from a standard source and try to
results.
Instrumental methods of analysis Willard, Merrtts Dean 7th Edn CBs New Delhi.
251
LESSON 2 3
CONTENTS 23.0 23.1 23.2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES INTRODUCTION AUGER 23.2.1. ELECTRON Principle and SPECTROSCOPY experimental (AES)
method
23.2.2. Applications 23.3 23.4 23.5 LET US SUM UP POINTS FOR DISCUSSION
REFERENCES
23.0
The aim of the lesson is to study and understand the auger emission phenomenon and to understand the importance of Auger emission
The principle of Auger effect Auger effect effectively takes the fingerprint of the material.
23.1
INTRODUCTION
When an atom is excited by the removal of an electron from an inner energy level, it may return to its normal state by transferring an electron from some outerlevel to the vacant inner level. The energy of this transition
either appears as X rays or is used to eject a second electron from the outer shell Fig. 2.1. This latter method is called the Auger emission process;
252 analysis emitted, known their as Auger emission are spectroscopy of (AES). that If element X rays and are their
wavelengths
characteristic
intensities are proportional to the number of excited atoms. emission methods can be used for both qualitative and
measurements.
Atoms are excited in several ways : by direct bombardment of the material with electrons and other Auger particles (direct emission (particle emission analysis, electron bombardment PIXE), or probe with by
microanalysis, protons or
spectroscopy), by x- ray
induced
emission,
In the latter
case, the exciting X radiation causes an inner electron to be ejected with subsequent emission of the characteristic X rays of the sample (fluorescence analysis). It is also possible to measure the energy of the electrons ejected
from the sample, and this leads to a method of analysis known as electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA)
Another method of X- ray analysis uses the differing absorption of X rays by different materials (absorption analysis). Major discontinuities in the
absorption of X rays by an element occur when the energy of the X rays becomes sufficient to knock an electron out of an inner level of an atom.
Still
another
method
of
using
rays
in
analytical
work
is
the This
method depends on the wave character of the X rays and the regu l a r s p a c i n g of planes in a crystal. analysis, they are Although diffraction methods are used for quantitative most widely used for qualitative identification of
crystalline phases.
Since electrons quickly lose their energy by colliding with molecules, methods that involve electron bombardment or detection of emitted electrons must be carried deeply out into in solid a vacuum. materials or Furthermore, escape from since any the electrons significant surface cannot depth of
penetrate
characterize
layers
253 solids (AES) and and are useful for analyzing for surfaces. chemical Auger analysis electron (ESCA), spectroscopy are carried
electron
spectroscopy
out in a vacuum and usually characterize not more than the outer 2 nm of the surface under investigation.
In
1913
Moseley
first
showed
the
extremely
simple
relationship for
each spectral line that belongs to a particular series of emission lines for each element in the periodic table. c --l = a(Z - s ) 2 . (1) This relationship is expressed as
FIG 23.1
23.2 23.2.1
AUGER
EMISSION measures
AES
The first step is ionization of an inner Once the atom is ionized, it must relax
b y e mitting either a photon (an X ray) or an electron (the nonradiative Auger process). In most instances nature chooses the Auger process. electron For example, the initial
undergoes
254 ionization, An L- level electron moves in to fill the K- level vacancy and, at
the same time, gives up the energy of that transition (L to K) to another L- level electron, which then becomes the ejected Auger electron. Other
Auger electrons originate from LMM and MNN transitions. atom is doubly ionized.
of the atomic energy levels involved in the Auger transition and is thus characteristic of the atom from which it came. A threshold energy, related to
t h e t ransition energy, exists and a primary energy five to six times greater than the Auger energy maximizes the sensitivity to that particular transition. All elements except hydrogen and helium produce Auger peaks. Most
elements have more than one intense Auger peak so that a recording of the spectrum of energies of Auger electrons released from any surface, compared with the known spectra of pure elements, enables a chemical analysis to be made.
Since an excited atom can lose energy by the X- ray emission process or by Auger electron emission, the relative sensitivities of these two techniques are complementary when considering the relative abundance of X rays and Auger electrons after ionization of a particular level. (Z < 30), the Auger sensitive. For process dominates, the which electron makes In the light elements AES relatively becomes more more
heavier
elements,
microprobe
sensitive for transitions following ionization of inner shells. of AES is maintained, however, by utilizing Auger transition
Although the penetration of the primary electron beam may be as deep as 1 m m for highaverage, of much energy electrons, the Auger electrons emitted are, on the lower energies. Electrons of such low energy must
originate very close to the surface if they are to escape without being lost by inelastic scattering before reaching the surface. Typically, Auger electrons
come from the first few atomic layers; the sampling depth is about 2 nm.
255 The sensitivity of the Auger technique is determined by the probability of the Auger transitions involved, the incident beam current and energy, and the collection efficiency of the energy analyzer. With a high s e n s i t i v i t y
cylindrical mirror analyzer (CMA), the detection limit for the elements varies between 0.1 and 1 atomic percent (or 10- 3 of a monolayer). Because the
electron beam can be focused to a small diameter (50 mm), it is possible to do spatial resolution or surface mapping of a sample. manner, AES is run resulting elemental usually with in referred to as the Auger guns When operated in this microprobe. and this on AES is
electron
information
bonding,
such as one clearly obtains in the chmical shifts of electron scattering for chemical analysis (ESCA), or in the molecular fragments found in secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). For example, hydrocarbon compounds appear
Fig. 2.2 shows the Auger spectra of Ag, Cd, In and Sb, the (MNN transitions). The spectra are very similar; the only major difference is the
of 25eV and, since the peak positions can be measured to an accuracy of + 1 eV, there is no ambiguity in the identification of adjacent elements in the p e r i o d i c c hart. eV. The KLL Auger spectra of all the elements lie between 50 and 1000 transitions correspond quite nicely with tabulated X ray -
energies.
There are, however, some minor differences due to the energy The Auger lines are the exact origins and
Auger electrons must lose in escaping from the sample. relatively broad due to the double uncertainty of
destinations within a sublevel of both the electrons that fall into inner levels and those being expelled from outer level. Lines due to LMM transitions
tend to correlate with X- ray energies, but some lines begin to appear that the selection rules for photon emission forbid. As the atomic number increases,
256
FIG 23.2
The strength of AES is its ability to give both a qualitative and
quantitative nondestructive analysis of the elements in the immediate surface atomic layers from a very small area of a solid. c o n t r o l l e d r e m oval of surface layers by ion When combined with a AES provides the
sputtering,
means to solve some very important problems, such as corrosion on metallic surfaces. To provide ion sputtering for surface cleaning and / or depth
profiling, the sample chamber is backfilled with argon and an electron impact source is used. AES Instrumentation The Auger spectrometer consists of an ultra- high vacuum chamber
257 gun / energy analyzer unit. incidence electron gun and a Auxiliary equipment often includes a grazing sputter ion gun for cleaning surfaces and
profiling studies.
depth- profiling instruments or as Auger microprobes with beam diameters of 5m m. also If an instrument is to be used as a high- sensitivity depth as a high lateral resolution microprobe, two electron profiler may and be
guns
The
energy
distribution
of
electrons
emitted
from
the
target,
NE
is
evaluated by scanning the negative voltage applied to the outer cylinder of the cylindrical mirror analyzer (CMA) (Fig. 2.3) Thus as the voltage applied to the outer cylinder is scanned, the secondary electron distribution is
measured by the current output of the analyzer. superimposed electrons, function. it on has a rather large popular continuous to
become
differentiate
electronically
FIG 23.3
258 23.2.2 Quantitative Analysis with AES APPLICATIONS Quantitative of peaks depend analysis on the is possible in principle. The relative intensities cross
following
variables:
inner- level
ionization
sections, Auger transition rates, and inelastic scattering of the emitted Auger electrons. With careful calibration, quantitative analysis of a homogeneous
sample should be achieved with an accuracy of about 10%. Thus, although quantitative value in Auger spectroscopy analysis. is- not very exact, it is still of significant
surface
The difficulties in the quantification of Auger data are illustrated in depth- profiling analysis. In this operation the change in peak shape of the differentiated concentration. oxidation where changes state spectra Changes of the distorts in the conventional shape atom. in occur This the is peak- height because of estimates changes severe in in of the cases
peak
emitting are
particularly
bonding also
orbitals may be
involved by
induced effect on
matrix shape
mechanisms matrices.
and To
their provide
peak
different within
different normal
accurate
quantitative
information
quantitative limits of AES, it is necessary to use the total Auger current. This i s e x p r e ssed by the area under the curve for the peak of interest, with background subtracted. By using undifferentiated data and integrating over
the total number of Auger electrons in the peak, one still has a choice of the limits of integration. Now chemical shifts may be observed and a depth
Scanning
Auger
Microprobe
(SAM)
The scanning Auger microprobe has a finely focused, scanning electron beam as the probe for AES analysis of a surface. For a surface area, the SAM provides an electron micrograph, an Auger image of selected elements on a cathode ray tube display for observation or photographing, and a depth -
composition profile. First, the cathode ray tube image is used to determine specific points or an area of interest on the sample surface. From the
259 micrograph chosen for obtained, points of interest or an area up to 200m m can be
compositional
analysis.
The image mode is useful because the positions of various elements in the sample are delineated in a few minutes. An xy recording of a line scan across a selected region of the image for a given element gives a relative quantitative measure of its concentration.
The thin- film analyzer mode of the SAM simultaneously sputter- etches a relatively large surface area (several millimeters in diameter) and
multiplexes the Auger signals from a smaller area about 15 m m in diameter. U p t o - six selected Auger peaks can be recorded as the surface is etched.
Depth resolution is about 10% of the total etched thickness. Elements are detected when present in quantities down to 0.1%of a monolayer.
At best, the spatial resolving power of SAM'is 500 nm with tungsten thermionic emitters as the electron source. The use of LaB6 , the resolying power to 100- 200 brightness. Field emitters, nm because provide of their high which even higher emitters electron extends optical are
brightness,
expected to allow one to analyze smaller areas in less time when they come into use.
Many
surface
composition
problems
involve
compositional
in-
homogeneity, both in depth and across a material surface. Scanning Auger microscopy offers high images, resolution combined with in the form of scanning electron For
microscope- type
elemental
mapping
capabilities.
example, graphite present in spherical nodules indicates that a specimen of cast iron is ductile cast iron. Examination of the carbon Auger images shows carbon to be present not only in the graphite concentration, circular in regions around between nodules. nodules. The iron nodules is image but not also, at lower in to the be
Carbo'n Auger
evident iron
regions
shows
260 Self Check exercise 1 1) Explain how Auger emission occurs? 2) 3) Compare the Auger emissions with other X- ray methods Explain the terms KLL and MNN transitions.
KLL Auger transition means that the K level electron undergoes initial
ionisation, an L- level electron moves into fill the K- level vacancy and at the same time gives up the energy of that transition (L to K) to another L level electron, which then becomes the ejected Auger electron. the atom is doubly ionised. In MNN transitions
Self 1) 2)
Check
exercise 2
Indicate the limitation in AES method. Discuss the applications of the AES techniques.
23.3 Let us Sum Up i) Auger emission is explained; ii) Auger emission is compared with o t h e r X - ray methods. Applications of AES are illustrated. The limitation of
23.4 Points for discussion i) Comparison of various X- ray techniques ii) The importance of AES in the analysis of surfaces by SAM
23.5 References 1) 2) ATKINS PHYSICAL methods CHEMISTRY 7th Edn. OUP INDIAN - 2 0 0 2 of analysis Willard, Merrtts Dean 7th Edn
Instrumental
261 LESSON - 2 4 CONTENTS 24.0 24.1 24.2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES INTRODUCTION PHOTO ELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY 24.2.1THE TECHNIQUE 24.2.2 ULTRAVIOLET PHOTO ELECTRON SPECTROCOPY AND X- RAY PHOTO ELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY 24.3 24.4 24.5 LET US SUM UP POINTS FOR DISCUSSION
REFERENCES
24.0
To
understand
the
spectral
methods photo
such
as
ultraviolet
photoelectron
electron
spectroscopy.
The objective is to
i)
Learn
the
importance of solids.
of
these
techniques
in
studying
the
surface
characteristics ii)
How UPS can be used to study the details of valence shell electrons.
The technique of Photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) measures the ionization different energies. energies orbitals, The of molecules the used when electrons to are infer and ejected the the from orbital important
and uses is
information to study
technique
solids
Because energy is conserved when a photon ionizes a sample, the energy of the incident of photon hv must be equal to the sum of the the sample and the kinetic energy of the
i o n i z a t i o n e n e r g y , I, photoelectron, the
ejected
electron
(Fig.3.1)
FIG 2 4 . 1
263 1 hn = 2 This equation (which is like the one used for the photoelectric effect, can be refined in two ways. First, Photoelectrons may originate from one of a number of different orbitals, and each one has a different ionization energy. Hence a series of different kinetic energies of the photoelectrons will be obtained, each one satisfying 1 hn = 2 w h e r e 1 i is the ionization energy for ejection of an electron from an orbital i . Therefore, and by measuring the kinetic ionization interpreted Which energy energies energies in terms states of of can of that the the be an the me v2 + 1i . (2) me v2 + 1 . (1)
photoelectrons, determined.
knowing n spectra
these are
Photoelectron called 1i
Koopmans is equal to
theorem. the
energy (formally
orbital
ejected
energy with the energy of the orbital from which it is ejected. Th e theorem is only an approximation because it ignores the fact that the remaining electrons adjust their distributions when ionization occurs.
The ejection of an electron may leave an ion in a vibrationally excited state. Then not all the excess energy of the photon appears as kinetic energy of the photo electron, and we should write. 1 hn = 2 w h e r e E + v i b is the energy used to exite the ion into vibration. Each vibratioal quantum that is excited leads to a different kinetic energy of the photoelectron, electron and gives rise to the vibrational structure in the me v2 + 1i + E+ vib
photo
spectrum.
even for valence electrons, so it is essential to work in at least the ultraviolet region of the spectrum and with wavelengths of less than about 200nm. Much work has been done with radiation generated by a discharge through helium: the He(I) line (1s1 2p 1 1s2 ) lies at 58.43nm,
corresponding to a photon energy of 21.22 eV. Its use gives rise to the technique electrons of ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS). When core
to expel them: X- rays are used, and the technique is denoted XPS. A modern version of PES makes use of synchrotron radiation, which may be continuously turned between UV and X- ray information that stems from the variation energies. of the The additional
photoejection
probability with wavelength is a valuable guide to the identity of t e h molecule and the orbital from which photo ionization occurs.
Example 1
ejected (1eV
from =
N2 with He (I) radiation had kinetic 8065.5cm 1 ). Helium (I) radiation of and therefore
wavelength 58.43nm
correspondents to an energy
energy is the energy needed to remove an electron from the HOMO of the N 2 molecule, the 3s g bonding orbital.
Self
Check
Under the at
The kinetic energies of the photoelectrons are measured using an electrostatic deflector that produces different deflections in the
265 paths of the As photoelectrons the field as they is pass increased, between charged of plates different
(Fig.3.2).
strength
electrons
speeds, and therefore kinetic energies, reach the detector. The electron flux can be recorded and plotted against kinetic energy to obtain the photoelectron spectrum.
FIG 2 4 . 2
24.2.2 Ultraviolet Photoelectron Spectroscopy
A typical photoelectron spectrum (of HBr) is shown in (ig.3.3). If we disregard the fine structure, we see that the HBr lines fall into
two main groups. The least tightly bound electrons (with the lowest ionization energies and hence highest kinetic energies when ejected)
are those in the nonbonding lone pairs of Br (with I = 11.8 eV). the
266 next ionization energy lies at 15.2 eV, and corresponds to the removal of an electron from the H- Br s b o n d .
FIG 2 4 . 3
HBr by
shows
that
ejection
of The if
as
electron
is
would by
appreciable
change the
equilibrium is formed
and
because
compressed state, which is consistent with the important bonding effect o f t h e s electrons. The lack of much vibrational structure in the two
267 bands labeled 2 P is consistent with the nonbonding role of the Br4pp
lone pair of electrons, for the equilibrium bond length is little changed when one is removed.
Example
The highest kinetic energy electron in the spectrum of H2 O u s i n g 21.22 eV. He radiation are at about 9 eV and show a large vibrational spacing of 0.41 eV (or 3310 cm 1 ), which is similar to the vibrational wavenumber molecule of the symmetric stretching mode of the neutral HO 2 cm 1 ). Therefore, we can suspect that the electron is
(3652
ejected from an orbital that has little influence on the bonding in the molecule. That is, photoejection is from a largely nonbonding orbital).
X-Ray
Photoelectron
Spectroscopy
In electrons
XPS, are
the
energy from
of
the inner
photon of
is
so As to
great a
that first
ejected core
atoms.
approximation,
ionization
energies
insensitive
the
bonds
between atoms because they are too tightly bound to be greatly affected by the changes are that accompany of bond formation, so core rather ionization than the
energies overall
characteristics
the
individual
atom
molecule.
elements present in a compound or alloy. For instance, the K shell ionization energies (eV) of the second- row elements are
Li 50
Be 110 690
B 190
C 280
400 530
Detection of one of these values (and values from other inner shells) indicates is the
to
ejection
presence for
corresponding name
element.
This
appliation
responsible
alternative
mainly limited to the study of surface layers because, even though Xrays may penetrate into the bulk sample, the ejected electrons cannot escape except from within a few nanometers of the surface. Despite (or because of) this limitation, the technique is very useful) for stud ying the surface state of
heterogeneous c a t a l y s t s , t h e
FIG 2 4 . 4
processes that can cause damage to high and semiconductors wafers. temperature superconductors
unaffected by bond formation, it is not entirely true, and small but detectable shifts can be detected and interpreted in terms o the f
environments of the atoms. For example, the azide ion, N3 , gives the spectrum shown in Fig.3.4. Although the spectrum lies in the region of 400 it has a doublet + structure with splitting 6 eV. This splitting can be understood b y n o t i n g that the structure of the ion is N = N= N, with more negative charges (eV (and hence is typical of N1s electrons),
on the outer two 'N' atoms than on the inner, the formal charges are 1 , + 1 , - 1).
The presence of the negative charges on the terminal atoms whereas the positive charge on the
lines in the spectrum with intensities in the ratio 2: 1 observations like this can be used to obtain valuable information about the presence of chemically inequivalent atoms, of the same element. The other applications are give below : The XPS (X- r a y p h o t o electron spectroscopy) is able to finger print the materials presen . t
The UPS which examines electron ejected from valence shells, is more suited to establishing the bonding characteristics and the details of
valence shell electronic structures of the substances on the surfaces. Its usefulness is its ability to reveal which orbitals of the adsorbate are involved in the bond to the substrate. spectroscopy studies indicate the For example the photo emission in p electron energies of This
differences
difference is due to the fact that benzene molecules tie parallel to the surface and are attached to it by their p - orbital.
Self 1. 2.
Check
270 Hence I = 21.22 4.53 16.7ev this corresponds to the origin of the electron from 1p u .
24.3 Let us Sum Up i) Kopopmans theorem is explained. ii) Applications of PES and UPS spectroscopies are discussed. iii) PES spectrum of HBr is illustrated.
24.4 Points for discussion 1) Analysis of Ionisation energies from photo electron spectroscopy
provides evidence for the molecular orbital structures of molecules. 2) One can specify which is the Homo of the molecule from the ionisation energy value. 3) Analysis of the photo electron spectrum of a molecule like HBr shows, that the lowest energy bands correspond to Bromine lone pair and the highest energy band corresponds to removal of 's' bond electron.
24.5 References 1) 2) ATKINS PHYSICAL methods CHEMISTRY 7th Edn. OUP INDIAN - 2 0 0 2 of analysis Willard, Merrtts Dean 7th Edn
Instrumental
271