Actinium
Actinio (Ac, Z=89)
- Date
- 1899 · confidence medium
- Place
- Paris, France
- Credited to
- André-Louis Debierne (and Friedrich Giesel)
- People
- 👤 André-Louis Debierne1874–1949
- Field
- Matter & energy
What was discovered
Debierne, a collaborator of the Curies, announced a new radioactive element in pitchblende residues; Giesel isolated it more cleanly in 1902 ('emanium').
The purity of Debierne's sample is disputed; Giesel has a solid claim.
What it led to
- Name of the actinide series
- Ac-Be neutron sources
- Alpha therapy with Ac-225
Built on
- Radioactivity and radiochemistry1896-1898
- The Curies' pitchblende residues
Made possible
- Ac-225 radiopharmaceuticals