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Q&As since 1989


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Strontium electroplating?

For the production of various yttrium radioisotopes we employ strontium carbonate, using the Sr(p,n)Y nuclear reaction(s). In order to increase the production of radioyttrium we would like to use strontium metal, thus giving a thicker target as well as providing better heat conductivity than strontium carbonate. The target will be exposed to air and helium during irradiation, and dissolved in acid after irradiation for the separation and processing of radioyttrium. Is there a way to deposit metallic strontium on a copper, silver or aluminium surface? It is not a problem if the strontium metal will have a thin coat of oxide, or another compound. All suggestions are welcome. Kindly, Jacek

Jacek Koziorowski
- New York, New York
1999

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Alkaline earth metals have an extremely low solution potential.these metals are very unstable in the presence of aqueous solutions of any pH and they are extremely base metals and powerful reducing agents. This is the reason the electrodeposition of alkaline earth metals cannot be brought about in aqueous solutions. But they can be obtained by the electrolysis of non-aqueous solutions, e.g. CaCl2 in methanol [affil links], ethanol , using a platinum cathode.

George Shahin
Atotech - Rock Hill, South Carolina
1999

I am trying to produce potassium electroplated aluminum wire. Will CaCl2 in ethanol, using a platinum cathode work? Will this work for copper wire as well? It is for use in replacing galvanized wire with a less electronegative combination.

Sam Badani
- Denton Texas USA
March 9, 2012