Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Properties of Transition Metals02:58

Properties of Transition Metals

27.8K
Transition metals are defined as those elements that have partially filled d orbitals. As shown in Figure 1, the d-block elements in groups 3–12 are transition elements. The f-block elements, also called inner transition metals (the lanthanides and actinides), also meet this criterion because the d orbital is partially occupied before the f orbitals.
27.8K
Ladder Diagrams: Redox Equilibria01:30

Ladder Diagrams: Redox Equilibria

571
Ladder diagrams are useful tools for understanding redox equilibrium reactions, especially the effects of concentration changes on the electrochemical potential of the reaction. The vertical axis in the redox ladder diagrams represents the electrochemical potential, E. The area of predominance is demarcated using the Nernst equation.
Consider the Fe3+/Fe2+ half-reaction, which has a standard-state potential of +0.771 V. At potentials more positive than +0.771 V, Fe3+ predominates, whereas Fe2+...
571
Electron Configurations02:46

Electron Configurations

21.8K
Electron configurations and orbital diagrams can be determined by applying the Aufbau principle (each added electron occupies the subshell of lowest energy available), Pauli exclusion principle (no two electrons can have the same set of four quantum numbers), and Hund’s rule of maximum multiplicity (whenever possible, electrons retain unpaired spins in degenerate orbitals).
The relative energies of the subshells determine the order in which atomic orbitals are filled (1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p,...
21.8K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Tritium Accommodation and Diffusion in Li<sub>8</sub>PbO<sub>6</sub> from First-Principles Simulations.

The journal of physical chemistry. C, Nanomaterials and interfaces·2025
Same author

A modified two temperature molecular dynamics (2T-MD) model for cascades.

Journal of physics. Condensed matter : an Institute of Physics journal·2024
Same author

High-Temperature Intrinsic Defect Chemistry of Li<sub>8</sub>PbO<sub>6</sub> Ceramic Breeding Material.

The journal of physical chemistry. C, Nanomaterials and interfaces·2023
Same author

Atomistic simulation of helium diffusion and clustering in plutonium dioxide.

Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP·2022
Same author

Thermodynamics and phase stability of Li<sub>8</sub><i>X</i>O<sub>6</sub>octalithium ceramic breeder materials (<i>X</i>= Pb, Ce, Ge, Zr, Sn).

Journal of physics. Condensed matter : an Institute of Physics journal·2022
Same author

Accommodation of helium in PuO<sub>2±</sub> and the role of americium.

Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP·2022

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 21, 2025

Activating Molecules, Ions, and Solid Particles with Acoustic Cavitation
14:22

Activating Molecules, Ions, and Solid Particles with Acoustic Cavitation

Published on: April 11, 2014

15.3K

Evolving Defect Chemistry of (Pu,Am)O2±.

William D Neilson1, Helen Steele2, Samuel T Murphy1

  • 1Engineering Department, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4YW, U.K.

The Journal of Physical Chemistry. C, Nanomaterials and Interfaces
|September 3, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Americium ingrowth in plutonium dioxide (PuO2) during storage alters its defect chemistry. This study models how americium incorporation affects PuO2, impacting its conductivity and stoichiometry.

More Related Videos

Speciation and Bioavailability Measurements of Environmental Plutonium Using Diffusion in Thin Films
12:22

Speciation and Bioavailability Measurements of Environmental Plutonium Using Diffusion in Thin Films

Published on: November 9, 2015

11.5K
High Resolution Physical Characterization of Single Metallic Nanoparticles
09:56

High Resolution Physical Characterization of Single Metallic Nanoparticles

Published on: June 28, 2019

5.9K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 21, 2025

Activating Molecules, Ions, and Solid Particles with Acoustic Cavitation
14:22

Activating Molecules, Ions, and Solid Particles with Acoustic Cavitation

Published on: April 11, 2014

15.3K
Speciation and Bioavailability Measurements of Environmental Plutonium Using Diffusion in Thin Films
12:22

Speciation and Bioavailability Measurements of Environmental Plutonium Using Diffusion in Thin Films

Published on: November 9, 2015

11.5K
High Resolution Physical Characterization of Single Metallic Nanoparticles
09:56

High Resolution Physical Characterization of Single Metallic Nanoparticles

Published on: June 28, 2019

5.9K

Area of Science:

  • Nuclear Chemistry
  • Materials Science
  • Solid State Physics

Background:

  • The beta decay of plutonium-241 (241Pu) to americium-241 (241Am) leads to americium ingrowth in stored plutonium dioxide (PuO2).
  • Understanding the chemical evolution of PuO2 due to americium incorporation is crucial for the safe interim storage of plutonium stockpiles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a point defect model predicting the defect chemistry evolution of PuO2 upon americium incorporation.
  • To investigate the influence of americium oxidation states, temperature, oxygen-to-metal ratio, and concentration on PuO2 defect chemistry.

Main Methods:

  • Combined density functional theory (DFT) calculations for defect energies.
  • Empirical potential calculations for vibrational entropies.
  • Development of a point defect model for (Pu,Am)O2± systems.

Main Results:

  • Americium occupies Pu sites in (Pu,Am)O2± as either Am(+III) or Am(+IV).
  • Am(+III) is favored at high temperatures, low oxygen-to-metal ratios, or low americium concentrations, existing as a negatively charged defect (Am_Pu^1-).
  • This Am(+III) defect increases material conductivity by creating holes in the valence band, with oxygen vacancies acting as charge compensators at low O/M ratios.

Conclusions:

  • The model accurately predicts americium's behavior in PuO2, elucidating its impact on defect chemistry.
  • Americium incorporation significantly alters PuO2's electronic and structural properties, influencing safe storage protocols.
  • The study provides critical insights into managing americium ingrowth in plutonium materials.