Zirconium, elemental occurrence

Figure 4.18 shows the positive SIMS spectrum of a silica-supported zirconium oxide catalyst precursor, freshly prepared by a condensation reaction between zirconium ethoxide and the hydroxyl groups of the support. Note the simultaneous occurrence of single ions (H", SR, 7.r ) and molecular ions (SiO, SiOH, ZrO, Zr02 ). Also, the isotope pattern of zirconium is clearly visible. Isotopes are important in the identification of peaks, because all peak intensity ratios must agree with the natural abundances. In addition to the peaks expected from zirconia on silica mounted on an indium foil, the spectrum of Fig. 4.18 also contains peaks from Na, K, and Ca. This is typical for SIMS Sensitivities vary over several orders of magnitude and elements such as the alkalis are detected when present in trace amounts. 

There are only a few minerals where thorium occurs as a significant constituent. The commercially important ore is the golden-brown, lanthanide phosphate, monazite [13064-1 -8/, LnPO where Ln = Ce, La, or Nd, in which thorium is generally present in a 1—15% elemental composition (7,8). Monazite is widely distributed around the world. Some deposits are quite large. Beach sands from Australia and India contain monazite from which concentrates of lanthanides, titanium, zirconium, and thorium are produced (7). The Travancore deposits in India are the most famous, and have been perhaps one of the most significant sources of commercial thorium. Additional information on the occurrence of thorium in minerals can be found in the literature (7). A review of the mineralogy of thorium is also available (9). 

Chapters S, 6, and 7 take up uranium, thorium, and zirconium in that order. Each chapter discusses the physical and chemical properties of the element and its compounds, its natural occurrence, and the processes used to extract the element from its ores, purify it, and convert it to the forms most useful in nuclear technology. 

Zirconium see also Elements electrical resistivity, 12-39 to 40 electron configuration, 1-18 to 19 heat capacity, 4-135 history, occurrence, uses, 4-1 to 42 ionization energy, 10-203 to 205 isotopes and their properties, 11-56 to 253 magnetic susceptibility, 4-142 to 147 molten, density, 4-139 to 141 physical properties, 4-133 to 134 thermal properties, 12-201 to 202 vapor pressure, 6-61 to 90 vapor pressure, high temperature, 4-136 to 137... 

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