Nihonium Facts – Element 113 or Symbol Nh

Nihonium (Nh) is an artificial element with atomic number 113. As a superheavy, radioactive metal, nihonium exists only in the laboratory, where it is produced through particle collisions in nuclear reactors. It is among the most recently discovered elements. Due to its short-lived isotopes and challenging synthesis, much of the information about nihonium’s properties is inferred from periodic trends.

Discovery and Naming of Nihonium

Nihonium was officially discovered in 2003, marking a major milestone in superheavy element research. Here is a timeline of its discovery and naming:

• 2003: Scientists at the RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science in Japan synthesize nihonium for the first time by bombarding a bismuth-209 target with zinc-70 ions, creating nihonium-278.
• 2012: Additional experiments at RIKEN confirm the creation of nihonium atoms, solidifying their discovery claims.
• 2015: The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) officially recognizes the discovery of element 113, crediting the RIKEN team as the first to synthesize it.
• 2016: IUPAC approved the name “nihonium” for element 113, derived from “Nihon,” which means “Japan” in Japanese, making it the first element discovered by Japanese scientists.

Note that a team at the GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research in Darmstadt, Germany attempted synthesizing element 113 using cold fusion in 1998 and 2003 by bombarding a bismuth-209 target with zinc-70. These attempts were unsuccessful.

In 1998, Yuri Oganessian and his team at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) in Dubna, Soviet Unition in combination with a team at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in Livermore, California attempted synthesis of element 114. This reaction included element 113 as part of the decay scheme. The team published their results in 1999, but could not replicate them. Another reaction by the JINR team in March of 1999 between ²⁴²Pu and ⁴⁸Ca also included element 113, but the results were not verified. Finally, the team reported synthesis of element 113 in August of 2003, as an alpha decay product of element 115. The team replicated synthesis of element 113 in June 2004 and again in December 2005.

So, the JINR team reported the synthesis of element 113 before the RIKEN team. However, the Joint Working Party (JWP) of the IUPAC and International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) assign discovery and naming rights according to unambiguous production of an element. So, while the JINR-LLNL team got discovery credit and naming rights for 114 and 116, the Riken team got credit for 113.

Detection of Nihonium

The detection of nihonium is particularly challenging due to its rapid decay and production in minuscule amounts. Scientists detect nihonium through indirect methods by observing its decay products. When nihonium-278 forms, it undergoes alpha decay, producing isotopes of element 111 (roentgenium), and the decay chain continues until more stable nuclei are reached. Tracking these decay chains helps confirm nihonium’s presence and provides clues about its properties.

Probable State of Matter and Appearance

Nihonium is predicted to be a solid metal at room temperature, based on its position in Group 13. Due to relativistic effects and superheavy atomic weight, the element likely resembles other heavy metals with a silvery or metallic sheen. The high radioactivity probably ionizes air and produces a glow. Theoretical models suggest nihonium has a relatively high density due to its high atomic mass.

Characteristics and Properties of Nihonium

Physical and Atomic Properties

1. Atomic Radius: Expected to be slightly larger than that of thallium due to relativistic effects.
2. Density: Estimated to be around 16–18 g/cm³.
3. Melting and Boiling Points: Although not experimentally confirmed, its melting point may be lower than those of lighter Group 13 elements due to weak metallic bonding in superheavy elements.

Chemical Properties

Nihonium is a p-block element, located in Group 13, following boron, aluminum, gallium, indium, and thallium. Generally, Group 13 elements exhibit a +3 oxidation state, with a +1 state more prominent in heavier elements like thallium due to inert pair effects. Consequently, nihonium likely exhibits +1, with some potential for +3. However, its position also implies possible unusual reactivity, as relativistic effects influence its electron orbitals.

Isotopes of Nihonium and the “Island of Stability”

Nihonium has several synthesized isotopes, all of which are radioactive with very short half-lives. Known isotopes include:

1. Nihonium-278: Half-life of about 1.4 milliseconds.
2. Nihonium-284: Half-life of approximately 0.9 seconds, longest known half-life among nihonium isotopes.
3. Nihonium-285: Half-life around 5.5 seconds.

These half-lives suggest that nihonium is not part of the hypothesized “island of stability,” a theoretical region where superheavy elements have longer half-lives due to favorable nuclear structure. However, the half-life of ²⁸⁵Nh suggests scientists are nearing the “island”.

Abundance and Sources

Nihonium does not occur naturally on Earth. It is synthesized in laboratories by colliding lighter atoms. The most common method involves bombarding bismuth-209 with zinc-70 in particle accelerators. Each synthesis creates only a few atoms, lasting mere milliseconds before decaying.

Synthesis and Purification of Nihonium

Nihonium synthesis involves high-energy collisions between zinc-70 and bismuth-209 atoms. This process is highly selective and challenging, requiring careful handling and advanced technology. Purification isn’t applicable since only a few atoms are created, and the element decays almost immediately. Researchers rely on precise detection techniques to identify nihonium from its decay chain.

Uses of Nihonium

Due to its instability and short half-life, nihonium currently has no practical applications outside of scientific research. Its synthesis helps advance our understanding of superheavy elements.

Health Effects and Toxicity

Nihonium is radioactive, but its extreme instability means it poses minimal health risks as it decays too quickly to interact with biological systems. Any hypothetical exposure would likely be highly toxic and carcinogenic due to radiation. However, such exposure remains virtually impossible outside specialized laboratory conditions.

Key Nihonium Facts for Scientists

Interesting Facts about Nihonium

1. First Element Discovered in Japan: Nihonium’s naming honors Japan, marking it as the first element discovered by Japanese scientists.
2. Extremely Short-Lived: The longest-lived isotope, nihonium-285, has a half-life of only about 5.5 seconds.
3. Experimental Only: Nihonium is strictly a scientific element with no industrial or commercial applications.
4. Relativistic Effects Influence Properties: Due to high atomic number, electrons in nihonium are influenced by relativistic effects, potentially impacting its reactivity and bonding.
5. “Island of Stability” Candidate: Research on nihonium contributes to efforts in reaching the “island of stability” in nuclear physics.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Nihonium

Q: Why is nihonium so unstable?
Nihonium’s instability stems from the challenges of holding such a large nucleus together. With 113 protons, the repulsive forces among protons are immense, requiring more neutrons to stabilize the nucleus. However, even with additional neutrons, the forces eventually become overwhelming and the nucleus quickly decays.

Q: Can nihonium exist in nature?
No, nihonium does not exist naturally. Or, if it does, it only exists for seconds or milliseconds before decaying. It can only be synthesized in particle accelerators that collide lighter elements.

Q: How do scientists know nihonium’s properties if it decays so quickly?
Much of what scientists know about nihonium comes from indirect observations and theoretical predictions. Scientists observe the decay chain of nihonium’s isotopes to confirm its presence. They also use periodic trends and computational models to predict its properties, relying on its position in Group 13 of the periodic table for comparison.

Q: Why does nihonium have a name inspired by Japan?
Nihonium is named after “Nihon,” the Japanese word for Japan. The name was chosen to honor the RIKEN research team in Japan, who discovered the element in 2003. This makes nihonium the first element to be discovered by a Japanese team, marking a significant milestone for Japanese science.

Q: Could nihonium have any future applications?
Currently, nihonium has no practical applications outside of scientific research. However, continued exploration of superheavy elements may one day lead to discoveries of new materials or isotopes with unique properties, potentially including longer-lived superheavy elements.

Q: Is nihonium dangerous to humans?
Nihonium is radioactive, but its short-lived isotopes decay too quickly to pose a risk to humans. Any exposure to nihonium would be confined to laboratory settings, where precautions are taken to handle radioactive materials safely.

Why the Discovery of Nihonium Matters

The discovery of nihonium is significant on multiple levels, from scientific advancement to cultural pride:

1. Expanding the Periodic Table: Nihonium’s addition to the periodic table represents humanity’s ongoing quest to explore the unknown reaches of atomic matter. Each new element discovery pushes the boundaries of our knowledge about atomic structure, nuclear forces, and elemental behavior.
2. Insights into Nuclear Physics: Superheavy elements like nihonium challenge the limits of nuclear stability, helping scientists refine models that describe the atomic nucleus. Research into nihonium’s behavior and decay contributes to understanding the “island of stability,” where scientists hope to find superheavy elements with longer half-lives.
3. Relativistic Chemistry and Advanced Theories: Nihonium exemplifies the unique chemistry of superheavy elements, where relativistic effects become significant. Studying nihonium in refining theories related to electron behavior in high atomic number elements.
4. Cultural and National Pride: As the first element discovered by Japanese scientists, nihonium holds special cultural significance. It reflects Japan’s contributions to cutting-edge science and technology, inspiring pride within the nation’s scientific community and demonstrating the global nature of scientific discovery.
5. Building Scientific Infrastructure and Collaboration: The discovery required sophisticated technologies, such as particle accelerators, and international collaboration. Achievements like the synthesis of nihonium underscore the importance of investment in scientific infrastructure and the value of cross-border cooperation.
6. Inspiring Future Generations: Discoveries like nihonium capture public interest and ignite curiosity, particularly in young scientists. The expansion of the periodic table is a tangible reminder that there is still much to learn and discover in the field of chemistry and nuclear physics.

References

• Atarah, Samuel A.; Egblewogbe, Martin N. H.; Hagoss, Gebreyesus G. (2020). “First principle study of the structural and electronic properties of Nihonium”. MRS Advances. 5: 1175-1183. doi:10.1557/adv.2020.159
• Bonchev, Danail; Kamenska, Verginia (1981). “Predicting the Properties of the 113–120 Transactinide Elements”. Journal of Physical Chemistry. 85 (9): 1177–1186. doi:10.1021/j150609a021
• Hoffman, Darleane C.; Lee, Diana M.; Pershina, Valeria (2006). “Transactinides and the future elements”. In Morss; Edelstein, Norman M.; Fuger, Jean (eds.). The Chemistry of the Actinide and Transactinide Elements (3rd ed.). Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer Science+Business Media. ISBN 978-1-4020-3555-5.
• Morita, Kosuke; Morimoto, Kouji; et al. (2004). “Experiment on the Synthesis of Element 113 in the Reaction 209Bi(70Zn,n)278113”. Journal of the Physical Society of Japan. 73 (10): 2593–2596. doi:10.1143/JPSJ.73.2593
• Oganessian, Yu. Ts.; et al. (2005). “Synthesis of elements 115 and 113 in the reaction ²⁴³Am + ⁴⁸Ca”. Physical Review C. 72 (3): 034611. doi:10.1103/PhysRevC.72.034611