thorium hydroxide
Quick Summary
Thorium hydroxide, with the chemical formula Th(OH)4, is a compound derived from thorium processing. It is typically produced as a gelatinous mass during the extraction of thorium from its ore, monazite.1
Thorium itself is a dense, silvery metal discovered in 1828. The most common isotope, thorium-232, is not fissile but can be converted into fissile uranium-233 in a nuclear reactor, making thorium a potential source of nuclear energy.1
Thorium hydroxide is an intermediate product in the purification of thorium. It is often dissolved in nitric acid to create a thorium nitrate solution, which is then further refined. Thorium nitrate is a key component in the production of gas mantles, where it is converted to thorium dioxide (thoria) upon heating, emitting brilliant white light. Thorium dioxide (thoria) is also used in crucibles, refractories, and optical glass.12
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