History is written by the victors.
Thorium-229 is used as raw material to produce Ac-225 and Bi-213, isotopes with medicinal uses.
O: Thorium oxide, ThO2 - many important uses, see the link F: Thorium tetrafluoride, ThF4 - used as antireflection layer in optics C: Thorium carbide, ThC - used as nuclear fuel
Thorium is commonly used in nuclear reactors as a fuel source for generating electricity. It can also be used in ceramics, optics, and some alloys due to its high melting point and strength. Additionally, thorium has potential applications in the production of medical imaging devices and as a catalyst in various chemical reactions.
Common compounds of thorium: thorium dioxide, thorium trifluoride, thorium tetrafluoride, thorium tetrachloride, thorium triiodide, thorium diiodide, thorium tetraiodide, thorium nitrate, thorium oxalate, thorium carbide, thorium sulfides, thorium nitride, thorium oxinate, etc.
A Thorium Molten Salt Reactor is a type of nuclear reactor that uses thorium as a fuel instead of uranium. It operates at high temperatures and uses a liquid fuel mixture of molten salts. One potential advantage of this type of reactor is reduced nuclear waste production compared to traditional reactor designs.
Some thorium uses: - fertile material (as ThO2) in nuclear power reactors; is a precursor of the fissile isotope 233U. - thorium dioxide can be used as refractory material for crucibles, tubes, rods, etc. - thorium tetrafluoride (ThF4) is used as anti-reflection coating in optics. - gas mantles (as ThO2) - alloying metal for some aviation components (magnesium-thorium alloy, magnesium-zinc-thorium); also for welding alloys wolfram-thorium - additive (as ThO2) in wolfram filaments - to stop crystalline growth of W and to increase time of use of light bulbs - catalyst in organic chemistry (as ThO2) - additive for special glass (as ThO2) - additive in filaments (as ThO2) of magnetron tubes - reagent in chemistry laboratories (as thorium nitrate) - etc.
Some thorium uses:- fertile material (as ThO2) in nuclear power reactors; is a precursor of the fissile isotope 233U.- thorium dioxide can be used as refractory material for crucibles, tubes, rods, etc.- thorium tetrafluoride (ThF4) is used as anti-reflection coating in optics.- gas mantles (as ThO2)- alloying metal for some aviation components (magnesium-thorium alloy, magnesium-zinc-thorium); also for welding alloys wolfram-thorium- additive (as ThO2) in wolfram filaments - to stop crystalline growth of W and to increase time of use of light bulbs- catalyst in organic chemistry (as ThO2)- additive for special glass (as ThO2)- additive in filaments (as ThO2) of magnetron tubes, vacuum tubes - reagent in chemistry laboratories (as thorium nitrate)- etc.
Some thorium uses:- fertile material (as ThO2) in nuclear power reactors; is a precursor of the fissile isotope 233U.- thorium dioxide can be used as refractory material for crucibles, tubes, rods, etc.- thorium tetrafluoride (ThF4) is used as anti-reflection coating in optics.- gas mantles (as ThO2)- alloying metal for some aviation components (magnesium-thorium alloy, magnesium-zinc-thorium); also for welding alloys wolfram-thorium- additive (as ThO2) in wolfram filaments - to stop crystalline growth of W and to increase time of use of light bulbs- catalyst in organic chemistry (as ThO2)- additive for special glass (as ThO2)- additive in filaments (as ThO2) of magnetron tubes, vacuum tubes - reagent in chemistry laboratories (as thorium nitrate)- etc.
Its uses include refractory applications, lamp mantles and lighting, and welding electrodes.
Thorium and fluorine Thorium trifluoride - ThF3 Thorium tetrafluoride - ThF4
Thorium is not commonly used in everyday life. It is primarily used in nuclear reactors for its potential as a fuel source. Some rare earth elements containing thorium are used in specialized applications like lighting (mantles in lanterns) and camera lenses, but these are not mainstream uses.