Polonium-210 is synthesized neutron-exposure via native bismuth which contains 208Bi in nuclear reactors with yielding beta-active bismuth-210 as an intermediate product:
208Bi + n = 210Bi = 210Po + e-
exposure to accelerated protons gives Polonium-208, which is separated from bismuth by sublimation in vacuum. Long-life isotopes still are not applied practically because of synthesis complexity. The following reactions are used in synthesis:
207Pb + 4He = 208Po + 3n
208Bi + 1H = 208Po + 2n
208Bi + 2D = 208Po + 3n
208Bi + 2D = 208Po + 2n
where 4He - alpha-particles, 1H - accelerated protons and 2D - accelerated deuterons (deuterium nuclei). |