3 ms·
Without knowing the specifics as apply to nukes, anion reactivity is inversely proportional to atomic reactivity, fluoride is far less reactive than chloride or
by thereisnospork 4y ago
Without knowing the specifics as apply to nukes, anion reactivity is inversely proportional to atomic reactivity, fluoride is far less reactive than chloride or bromide or iodide, respectively in order of increasing reactivity. Ergo fluoride and fluoride containing anions are quite common in molten salts/ionic liquids.
In English: the flouride, having so voraciously devoured that 8th electron it was missing, really doesn't want to give it up, whereas chlorine et al have lots of spares.)
- marcosdumay 4y agoThe concern is not so much about the fluoride losing an electron, but about whatever reacted to it stealing electrons from the reactor.
- thereisnospork 4y agoWhich is less likely with fluorine because what fluorine reacts with to form the salt, say Na as in NaF, wants to give up an electron, not receive one. And with fluorine as a partner, Na will have the hardest* time retrieving that electron to give to something else. This can be easily validated by comparing enthalpy of reaction and formation for the various halide salts. The properties of broad chemical stability are not limited to ionically bonded fluorine either, see PTFE, which also derives its stability from the extreme reactivity of fluorine. Compared to say PTIE (polytetraiodoethylene), which if you could even make would rapidly yellow and degrade in open air/mild sunlight, as iodine compounds are wont to do. *for a loose definition of hardest.