Nuclear batteries, such as the radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) used by NASA, have proven to be effective in long-term power generation and storage since those in service have stood up to the test of time: the RTGs used in the Voyager space mission are still in operation after 45 years. Nuclear batteries that use non-thermal generators have historically been used to power pacemakers and show promise for wider-scale commercialization as a long-lived, green energy source. Promethium-147 is a radioactive lanthanide that has shown great potential as a non-thermal generator. Pm-147 is a pure beta-emitter that has a low intensity gamma spectrum, which can easily be shielded within a small nuclear battery. The purpose of our research is to develop the fundamental chemistry of promethium and fill the gaps in lanthanide periodic trends, as well as investigate methods to isolate and purify promethium, particularly from its neighbors on the periodic table – neodymium and samarium. Our research will open the doors to more promethium applications and pave the road to improving promethium-147 nuclear batteries, which have the potential to revolutionize the way we think about portable power generation.

Developing the fundamental chemistry of promethium using single-crystal x-ray diffraction

Where thousands of chemistry professionals meet to share ideas and advance scientific and technical knowledge. Spring 2023 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch at the end of March.

ACS Spring 2023

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.