Caesium metal

The catalytic activity of doped nickel oxide on the solid state decomposition of CsN3 decreased [714] in the sequence NiO(l% Li) > NiO > NiO(l% Cr) > uncatalyzed reaction. While these results are in qualitative accordance with the assumption that the additive provided electron traps, further observations, showing that ZnO (an rc-type semi-conductor) inhibited the reaction and that CdO (also an rc-type semi-conductor) catalyzed the reaction, were not consistent with this explanation. It was noted, however, that both NiO and CdO could be reduced by the product caesium metal, whereas ZnO is not, and that the reaction with NiO yielded caesium oxide, which is identified as the active catalyst. Detailed kinetic data for these rate processes are not available but the pattern of behaviour described clearly demonstrates that the interface reactions were more complicated than had been anticipated. 

Main uses. Caesium metal is used in the production of vacuum tubes as a scavenger to reduce residual gaseous impurities after the tubes have been sealed. Cs may be generated in situ by heating a pellet of caesium chromate mixed with a metal powder (Zr, Ca, Ba). Cs metal is used as the propellant in ion thrusters (employed in satellites for orientation control) it is ionized in a vacuum chamber, the Cs+ are then accelerated through a nozzle (high specific impulse because of high atomic mass). 

On two occasions samples of this, or of a closely related phthaloylphosphide, spontaneously ignited in air. There is some possibility that small particles of caesium metal might have been present as an impurity. 

The data show considerable differences, those in the Na-OW system comparing with data calculated by Langmuir (i, 22) for a surface of caesium metal ... 

The table contains vertical groups of elements each member of a group having the same number of electrons in the outermost quantum level. For example, the element immediately before each noble gas, with seven electrons in the outermost quantum level, is always a halogen. The element immediately following a noble gas, with one electron in a new quantum level, is an alkali metal (lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, caesium, francium). 

A number of attempts to produce tire refractory metals, such as titanium and zirconium, by molten chloride electrolysis have not met widr success with two exceptions. The electrolysis of caesium salts such as Cs2ZrCl6 and CsTaCle, and of the fluorides Na2ZrF6 and NaTaFg have produced satisfactoty products on the laboratory scale (Flengas and Pint, 1969) but other systems have produced merely metallic dusts aird dendritic deposits. These observations suggest tlrat, as in tire case of metal deposition from aqueous electrolytes, e.g. Ag from Ag(CN)/ instead of from AgNOj, tire formation of stable metal complexes in tire liquid electrolyte is the key to success. 

Thermodynamic data show that the stabilities of the caesium chloride-metal chloride complexes are greater than the conesponding sodium and potassium compounds, and tire fluorides form complexes more readily tlrair the chlorides, in the solid state. It would seem that tire stabilities of these compounds would transfer into tire liquid state. In fact, it has been possible to account for the heats of formation of molten salt mixtures by the assumption that molten complex salts contain complex as well as simple anions, so tlrat tire heat of formation of the liquid mixtures is tire mole fraction weighted product of the pure components and the complex. For example, in the CsCl-ZrCU system the heat of formation is given on each side of tire complex compound composition, the mole fraction of the compound... 

The alkali metals form a homogeneous group of extremely reactive elements which illustrate well the similarities and trends to be expected from the periodic classification, as discussed in Chapter 2. Their physical and chemical properties are readily interpreted in terms of their simple electronic configuration, ns, and for this reason they have been extensively studied by the full range of experimental and theoretical techniques. Compounds of sodium and potassium have been known from ancient times and both elements are essential for animal life. They are also major items of trade, commerce and chemical industry. Lithium was first recognized as a separate element at the beginning of the nineteenth eentury but did not assume major industrial importance until about 40 y ago. Rubidium and caesium are of considerable academic interest but so far have few industrial applications. Francium, the elusive element 87, has only fleeting existence in nature due to its very short radioactive half-life, and this delayed its discovery until 1939. 

The Group 1 elements are soft, low-melting metals which crystallize with bee lattices. All are silvery-white except caesium which is golden yellow "- in fact, caesium is one of only three metallic elements which are intensely coloured, the other two being copper and gold (see also pp. 112, 1177, 1232). Lithium is harder than sodium but softer than lead. Atomic properties are summarized in Table 4.1 and general physical properties are in Table 4.2. Further physical properties of the alkali metals, together with a review of the chemical properties and industrial applications of the metals in the molten state are in ref. 11. 

In addition to the above oxides M2O, M2O2, M4O6, MO2 and MO3 in which the alkali metal has the constant oxidation state 4-1, rubidium and caesium also form suboxides in which the formal oxidation state of the metal is considerably lower. Some of these intriguing compounds have been known since the turn of the century but only recently have their structures been elucidated by single crystal X-ray analysis. Partial oxidation of Rb at low temperatures gives RbeO which decomposes above —7.3°C to give copper-coloured metallic crystals of Rb902 ... 

Rubidium is more reactive than potassium. Therefore there is greater risk of dangerous reactions of the seime nature. Since it belongs to the category of alkali metals which are less used, like caesium, this explains why there is only a small number of accidents. 

Surface Ionization Sources. In this system, a low ionization potential atom (e.g. caesium) is adsorbed on a high work function metal (e.g. iridium). The temperature is raised so that the rate of desorption exceeds the rate of arrival of the atoms at the surface, and the Cs is then desorped as ions with very small energy spread (< 1 eY). The spot size - current characteristics of these sources lie between liquid metal and plasma discharge sources. 

A 20 g sample, prepared and stored in a dry box for several months, developed a thin crust of oxidation/hydrolysis products. When the crust was disturbed, a violent explosion occurred, later estimated as equivalent to 230 g TNT. A weaker explosion was observed with potassium tetrahydroaluminate. The effect was attributed to superoxidation of traces of metallic potassium, and subsequent interaction of the hexahydroaluminate and superoxide after frictional initiation. Precautions advised include use of freshly prepared material, minimal storage in a dry diluent under an inert atmosphere and destruction of solid residues. Potassium hydrides and caesium hexahydroaluminate may behave similarly, as caesium also superoxidises in air. 

See Barium peroxide Non-metal oxides Caesium oxide... 

Metal acetylides or carbides Calcium carbide 3.97/46 See Caesium acetylide Mineral acids Rubidium acetylide Acids Uranium dicarbide Hydrogen chloride... 

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