Europium
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Europium (Eu) is a silvery-white coloured metal that has the atomic number 63 in the periodic table. It is a Lanthanide metal. It has the symbol Eu.
Europium is a hard metal that easily oxidises in air. It is the least abundant of the rare earth metals and its also the most reactive. It is not found as a free element but in ores such as xenotime and monazite. Europium is used in the printing of euro bank notes as it glows red under UV light to detect forgeries. Europium was discovered by Eugène-Antole Demarçay who in 1886 identified it by spectroscopy. It wasn’t until 1901 that Europium was isolated by crystalisation of samarium magnesium nitrate. It is a solid metal at room temperature with a melting point of 826°c and a boiling point of 1529°c.
FAQ's
Eugène Demarçay
1901
Uses
Used with yttrium oxide to make red phosphors for color televisions.
Sources
Obtained from monazite sand, which is a mixture of phosphates of calcium, thorium, cerium, and most other rare earths.
About the author
Nathan M
Nathan has a degree in BSc Biomedical Chemistry at Warwick University and a degree in PGCE Science at Wolverhampton University, UK. Nathan's subject matter ranges from general chemistry and organic chemistry. Nathan also created the curriculum on Breaking Atom in the course page.
Citation
Eu
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