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Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology

Cesium and Cesium Compounds

Standard Article

William Ferguson¹ and Dena Gorrie¹

¹Tanco Lac du Bonnet

DOI: 10.1002/0471238961.0305190902211820.a01.pub2
Article Online Posting Date: August 16, 2002

Abstract | Full Text: PDF (146K)

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Abstract

Cesium is the most chemically active and rare of the naturally occurring Group 1 (IA) alkali metals. It is generally produced from pollucite by acid digestion to an intermediate cesium compound followed by thermochemical or electrolytic reduction. Production routes and properties of cesium and cesium compounds are described. Uses of cesium and cesium compounds continue to grow in electronics, in catalysts and organic synthesis, in analytical instrumentation, in biotechnology, and in medical applications. Cesium usage has also shown potential in such areas as magnetohydrodynamic power generation.

Keywords: Cesium; Pollucite; Cesium alloys; Cesium compounds; Cesium chromate; Cesium carbonate; Electronic applications; Medical applications; Cesium chloride; Isotopes; Cesium hydroxide; Cesium nitrate; Cesium sulfate; Cesium permanganate; Vacuum tubes; Energy applications cesium; pollucite; cesium alloys; carbonates; chromate; halides; hydroxide; nitrate; oxides; permanganate; sulfates; isotopes; electronics; energy; vacuum tubes; scintillation counters; biotechnology; medical application