Plutonium-238



Plutonium-238
General
symbol Plutonium-238,238Pu
Neutrons 142
Protons 94
Nuclide data
Half-life 87.7 years
Parent isotopes 242Cm (β+)
Decay products 234U
Spin 0

 

Plutonium 238, is a alpha emitter. Because of its high level of alpha activity, it is used for radioisotope thermoelectric generators and radioisotope heater units. The use of plutonium-238 in American and Soviet spacecraft is somewhat controversial.

Plutonium-238 was the first Lead-206.

Today, Plutonium 238 is usually prepared by the irradiation of neptunium 237, and the neptunium must be extracted selectively.

The United States currently has limited facilities to produce plutonium-238. Since 1993, the U.S. has purchased all of the plutonium-238 it has used in space probes from Russia. 16.5 kilograms total have been purchased.[1]


Plutonium-237 Plutonium Plutonium-239
Produced from:
Curium-242 (β-) 		Decay chain Decays to:
Uranium-234 (α)

See also

References

  1. ^ http://nuclear.inl.gov/spacenuclear/docs/final72005faqs.pdf
 
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