Isotopes of zirconium
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Standard atomic weight Ar°(Zr) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Naturally occurring zirconium (40Zr) is composed of four stable isotopes (of which one may in the future be found radioactive), and one very long-lived radioisotope (96Zr), a primordial nuclide that decays via double beta decay with an observed half-life of 2.0×1019 years;[4] it can also undergo single beta decay, which is not yet observed, but the theoretically predicted value of t1/2 is 2.4×1020 years.[5] The second most stable radioisotope is 93Zr, which has a half-life of 1.53 million years. Twenty-seven other radioisotopes have been observed. All have half-lives less than a day except for 95Zr (64.02 days), 88Zr (63.4 days), and 89Zr (78.41 hours). The primary decay mode is electron capture for isotopes lighter than 92Zr, and the primary mode for heavier isotopes is beta decay.
Zirconium is the heaviest element that can be formed from symmetric fusion, from either 45Sc, or 46Ca producing 90Zr (after two beta-plus decays from 90Mo) and 92Zr respectively. All heavier elements are formed either through asymmetric fusion or during the collapse of supernovae. As most of these are energy-absorbing processes, most nuclides of elements heavier than zirconium are theoretically unstable to spontaneous fission, although in many cases, the half-life for this is too long to have been observed. See list of nuclides for a tabulation.
Zirconium-89
89Zr is a radioisotope of zirconium with a half-life of 78.41 hours. It is produced by proton irradiation of natural yttrium-89. Its most prominent gamma photon has an energy of 909 keV.
Zirconium-89 is employed in specialized diagnostic applications using positron emission tomography imaging, for example, with zirconium-89 labeled antibodies (immuno-PET).[6] For a decay table, see Maria Vosjan. "Zirconium-89 (89Zr)". Cyclotron.nl.
Zirconium-93
Thermal | Fast | 14 MeV | |
---|---|---|---|
232Th | not fissile | 6.70 ± 0.40 | 5.58 ± 0.16 |
233U | 6.979 ± 0.098 | 6.94 ± 0.07 | 5.38 ± 0.32 |
235U | 6.346 ± 0.044 | 6.25 ± 0.04 | 5.19 ± 0.31 |
238U | not fissile | 4.913 ± 0.098 | 4.53 ± 0.13 |
239Pu | 3.80 ± 0.03 | 3.82 ± 0.03 | 3.0 ± 0.3 |
241Pu | 2.98 ± 0.04 | 2.98 ± 0.33 | ? |
93Zr is a radioisotope of zirconium with a half-life of 1.53 million years, decaying with a low-energy beta particle to niobium-93, which decays with a halflife of 14 years and a low-energy gamma ray to ordinary 93Nb. It is one of only 7 long-lived fission products. The low specific activity and low energy of its radiations limit the radioactive hazards of this isotope.
Nuclear fission produces it at a fission yield of 6.3% (thermal neutron fission of 235U), on a par with the other most abundant fission products. Nuclear reactors usually contain large amounts of zirconium as fuel rod cladding (see zircaloy), and neutron irradiation of 92Zr also produces some 93Zr, though this is limited by 92Zr's low neutron capture cross section of 0.22 barns.
93Zr also has a low neutron capture cross section of 0.7 barns.[8][9] Most fission zirconium consists of other isotopes; the other isotope with a significant neutron absorption cross section is 91Zr with a cross section of 1.24 barns. 93Zr is a less attractive candidate for disposal by nuclear transmutation than are Tc-99 and I-129. Mobility in soil is relatively low, so that geological disposal may be an adequate solution.
List of isotopes
nuclide symbol |
Z(p) | N(n) | isotopic mass (u) |
half-life[n 1] | decay mode(s)[10][n 2] |
daughter isotope(s)[n 3] |
nuclear spin |
representative isotopic composition (mole fraction) |
range of natural variation (mole fraction) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
excitation energy | |||||||||
78Zr | 40 | 38 | 77.95523(54)# | 50# ms [>170 ns] |
0+ | ||||
79Zr | 40 | 39 | 78.94916(43)# | 56(30) ms | β+, p | 78Sr | 5/2+# | ||
β+ | 79Y | ||||||||
80Zr | 40 | 40 | 79.9404(16) | 4.6(6) s | β+ | 80Y | 0+ | ||
81Zr | 40 | 41 | 80.93721(18) | 5.5(4) s | β+ (>99.9%) | 81Y | (3/2−)# | ||
β+, p (<.1%) | 80Sr | ||||||||
82Zr | 40 | 42 | 81.93109(24)# | 32(5) s | β+ | 82Y | 0+ | ||
83Zr | 40 | 43 | 82.92865(10) | 41.6(24) s | β+ (>99.9%) | 83Y | (1/2−)# | ||
β+, p (<.1%) | 82Sr | ||||||||
84Zr | 40 | 44 | 83.92325(21)# | 25.9(7) min | β+ | 84Y | 0+ | ||
85Zr | 40 | 45 | 84.92147(11) | 7.86(4) min | β+ | 85Y | 7/2+ | ||
85mZr | 292.2(3) keV | 10.9(3) s | IT (92%) | 85Zr | (1/2−) | ||||
β+ (8%) | 85Y | ||||||||
86Zr | 40 | 46 | 85.91647(3) | 16.5(1) h | β+ | 86Y | 0+ | ||
87Zr | 40 | 47 | 86.914816(9) | 1.68(1) h | β+ | 87Y | (9/2)+ | ||
87mZr | 335.84(19) keV | 14.0(2) s | IT | 87Zr | (1/2)− | ||||
88Zr | 40 | 48 | 87.910227(11) | 83.4(3) d | EC | 88Y | 0+ | ||
89Zr | 40 | 49 | 88.908890(4) | 78.41(12) h | β+ | 89Y | 9/2+ | ||
89mZr | 587.82(10) keV | 4.161(17) min | IT (93.77%) | 89Zr | 1/2− | ||||
β+ (6.23%) | 89Y | ||||||||
90Zr[n 4] | 40 | 50 | 89.9047044(25) | Stable | 0+ | 0.5145(40) | |||
90m1Zr | 2319.000(10) keV | 809.2(20) ms | IT | 90Zr | 5- | ||||
90m2Zr | 3589.419(16) keV | 131(4) ns | 8+ | ||||||
91Zr[n 4] | 40 | 51 | 90.9056458(25) | Stable | 5/2+ | 0.1122(5) | |||
91mZr | 3167.3(4) keV | 4.35(14) µs | (21/2+) | ||||||
92Zr[n 4] | 40 | 52 | 91.9050408(25) | Stable[n 5] | 0+ | 0.1715(8) | |||
93Zr[n 6] | 40 | 53 | 92.9064760(25) | 1.53(10)×106 y | β− | 93Nb | 5/2+ | ||
94Zr[n 4] | 40 | 54 | 93.9063152(26) | Observationally Stable[n 7] | 0+ | 0.1738(28) | |||
95Zr[n 4] | 40 | 55 | 94.9080426(26) | 64.032(6) d | β− | 95Nb | 5/2+ | ||
96Zr[n 8][n 4] | 40 | 56 | 95.9082734(30) | 20(4)×1018 y | β−β−[n 9] | 96Mo | 0+ | 0.0280(9) | |
97Zr | 40 | 57 | 96.9109531(30) | 16.744(11) h | β− | 97mNb | 1/2+ | ||
98Zr | 40 | 58 | 97.912735(21) | 30.7(4) s | β− | 98Nb | 0+ | ||
99Zr | 40 | 59 | 98.916512(22) | 2.1(1) s | β− | 99mNb | 1/2+ | ||
100Zr | 40 | 60 | 99.91776(4) | 7.1(4) s | β− | 100Nb | 0+ | ||
101Zr | 40 | 61 | 100.92114(3) | 2.3(1) s | β− | 101Nb | 3/2+ | ||
102Zr | 40 | 62 | 101.92298(5) | 2.9(2) s | β− | 102Nb | 0+ | ||
103Zr | 40 | 63 | 102.92660(12) | 1.3(1) s | β− | 103Nb | (5/2−) | ||
104Zr | 40 | 64 | 103.92878(43)# | 1.2(3) s | β− | 104Nb | 0+ | ||
105Zr | 40 | 65 | 104.93305(43)# | 0.6(1) s | β− (>99.9%) | 105Nb | |||
β−, n (<.1%) | 104Nb | ||||||||
106Zr | 40 | 66 | 105.93591(54)# | 200# ms [>300 ns] |
β− | 106Nb | 0+ | ||
107Zr | 40 | 67 | 106.94075(32)# | 150# ms [>300 ns] |
β− | 107Nb | |||
108Zr | 40 | 68 | 107.94396(64)# | 80# ms [>300 ns] |
β− | 108Nb | 0+ | ||
109Zr | 40 | 69 | 108.94924(54)# | 60# ms [>300 ns] |
|||||
110Zr | 40 | 70 | 109.95287(86)# | 30# ms [>300 ns] |
0+ |
- ^ Bold for isotopes with half-lives longer than the age of the universe (nearly stable)
- ^ Abbreviations:
EC: Electron capture
IT: Isomeric transition - ^ Bold for stable isotopes
- ^ a b c d e f Fission product
- ^ Heaviest theoretically stable nuclide
- ^ Long-lived fission product
- ^ Believed to decay by β−β− to 94Mo with a half-life over 1.1×1017 years
- ^ Primordial radionuclide
- ^ Theorized to also undergo β− decay to 96Nb
Notes
- Geologically exceptional samples are known in which the isotopic composition lies outside the reported range. The uncertainty in the atomic mass may exceed the stated value for such specimens.
- Values marked # are not purely derived from experimental data, but at least partly from systematic trends. Spins with weak assignment arguments are enclosed in parentheses.
- Uncertainties are given in concise form in parentheses after the corresponding last digits. Uncertainty values denote one standard deviation, except isotopic composition and standard atomic mass from IUPAC, which use expanded uncertainties.
References
- ^ Kondev, F. G.; Wang, M.; Huang, W. J.; Naimi, S.; Audi, G. (2021). "The NUBASE2020 evaluation of nuclear properties" (PDF). Chinese Physics C. 45 (3): 030001. doi:10.1088/1674-1137/abddae.
- ^ "Standard Atomic Weights: Zirconium". CIAAW. 1983.
- ^ Prohaska, Thomas; Irrgeher, Johanna; Benefield, Jacqueline; Böhlke, John K.; Chesson, Lesley A.; Coplen, Tyler B.; Ding, Tiping; Dunn, Philip J. H.; Gröning, Manfred; Holden, Norman E.; Meijer, Harro A. J. (2022-05-04). "Standard atomic weights of the elements 2021 (IUPAC Technical Report)". Pure and Applied Chemistry. doi:10.1515/pac-2019-0603. ISSN 1365-3075.
- ^ "List of Adopted Double Beta (ββ) Decay Values". National Nuclear Data Center, Brookhaven National Laboratory.
- ^ H Heiskanen; M T Mustonen; J Suhonen (30 March 2007). "Theoretical half-life for beta decay of 96Zr". Journal of Physics G: Nuclear and Particle Physics. 34 (5).
- ^ Van Dongen, GA; Vosjan, MJ (August 2010). "Immuno-positron emission tomography: shedding light on clinical antibody therapy". Cancer Biotherapy and Radiopharmaceuticals. 25 (4): 375–85.
- ^ M. B. Chadwick et al, "ENDF/B-VII.1: Nuclear Data for Science and Technology: Cross Sections, Covariances, Fission Product Yields and Decay Data", Nucl. Data Sheets 112(2011)2887. (accessed at www-nds.iaea.org/exfor/endf.htm)
- ^ "ENDF/B-VII.1 Zr-93(n,g)". National Nuclear Data Center, Brookhaven National Laboratory. 2011-12-22. Retrieved 2014-11-20.
- ^ S. Nakamura; et al. (2007). "Thermal neutron capture cross-sections of Zirconium-91 and Zirconium-93 by prompt gamma-ray spectroscopy". Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology. 44 (1): 21–28. doi:10.1080/18811248.2007.9711252.
- ^ "Universal Nuclide Chart". nucleonica.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|registration=
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suggested) (help)
- Isotope masses from:
- G. Audi; A. H. Wapstra; C. Thibault; J. Blachot; O. Bersillon (2003). "The NUBASE evaluation of nuclear and decay properties" (PDF). Nuclear Physics A. 729: 3–128. Bibcode:2003NuPhA.729....3A. doi:10.1016/j.nuclphysa.2003.11.001. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-09-23.
{{cite journal}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help)
- G. Audi; A. H. Wapstra; C. Thibault; J. Blachot; O. Bersillon (2003). "The NUBASE evaluation of nuclear and decay properties" (PDF). Nuclear Physics A. 729: 3–128. Bibcode:2003NuPhA.729....3A. doi:10.1016/j.nuclphysa.2003.11.001. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-09-23.
- Isotopic compositions and standard atomic masses from:
- J. R. de Laeter; J. K. Böhlke; P. De Bièvre; H. Hidaka; H. S. Peiser; K. J. R. Rosman; P. D. P. Taylor (2003). "Atomic weights of the elements. Review 2000 (IUPAC Technical Report)". Pure and Applied Chemistry. 75 (6): 683–800. doi:10.1351/pac200375060683.
- M. E. Wieser (2006). "Atomic weights of the elements 2005 (IUPAC Technical Report)". Pure and Applied Chemistry. 78 (11): 2051–2066. doi:10.1351/pac200678112051.
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- Half-life, spin, and isomer data selected from the following sources. See editing notes on this article's talk page.
- G. Audi; A. H. Wapstra; C. Thibault; J. Blachot; O. Bersillon (2003). "The NUBASE evaluation of nuclear and decay properties" (PDF). Nuclear Physics A. 729: 3–128. Bibcode:2003NuPhA.729....3A. doi:10.1016/j.nuclphysa.2003.11.001. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-09-23.
{{cite journal}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
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suggested) (help) - National Nuclear Data Center. "NuDat 2.1 database". Brookhaven National Laboratory. Retrieved September 2005.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - N. E. Holden (2004). "Table of the Isotopes". In D. R. Lide (ed.). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (85th ed.). CRC Press. Section 11. ISBN 978-0-8493-0485-9.
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: Unknown parameter|nopp=
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suggested) (help)
- G. Audi; A. H. Wapstra; C. Thibault; J. Blachot; O. Bersillon (2003). "The NUBASE evaluation of nuclear and decay properties" (PDF). Nuclear Physics A. 729: 3–128. Bibcode:2003NuPhA.729....3A. doi:10.1016/j.nuclphysa.2003.11.001. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-09-23.