How are cesium and thallium utilized in various industries?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the industrial applications of cesium and thallium, exploring their uses in various fields such as medicine and materials science.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants mention that radioisotopes of cesium and thallium are utilized in nuclear medicine for diagnosing medical conditions.
  • It is noted that Cs-137 is used as a source in radiotherapy machines to target and kill cancer cells.
  • Thallium bromide-iodide crystals are identified as materials used in infrared optics.
  • Thallium combined with sulfur or selenium and arsenic is discussed in the context of producing low melting glasses that exhibit fluidity at temperatures between 125 and 150°C, while maintaining durability and water insolubility at room temperature.
  • Thallium oxide is mentioned as a component in producing glasses with a high index of refraction.
  • One participant raises a concern about the toxicity of thallium, referencing its portrayal in crime media.
  • Questions are posed regarding the availability of cesium and thallium in chemist's stores, prompting further inquiry into the motivations behind such purchases.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion presents multiple viewpoints on the applications of cesium and thallium, with no consensus reached regarding their availability for purchase or the implications of thallium's toxicity.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the safety and legality of purchasing cesium and thallium, and the discussion does not clarify the regulatory aspects surrounding these elements.

Thallium
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It goes like this, very simple:

How and where can cesium and thallium be used?
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
Here are two:

Radioisotopes of both elements are used in nuclear medicine for the diagnosis of various medical conditions.

Cs-137 is also used as a source for radiotherapy machines, to kill cancer cells.

- Warren
 
Here is another for thallium..


Thallium bromide-iodide crystals have been used as infrared optical materials.


Thallium along with sulfur or selenium and arsenic is used to produce low melting glasses witch become fluid between 125 and 150C. These glasses have properties at room temperatures similar to ordinary glasses and are said to be durable and insoluble in water.

Thallium oxide has been used to produce glasses with a high index of refraction
 
But thallium is poisonous as well isn't it? I once saw a crime programme on Discovery Channel where a murderer had used thallium to kill a man.

Can I buy cesium or thallium at a chemist's store?
 
Originally posted by Thallium
Can I buy cesium or thallium at a chemist's store?
Why would you want to do that?
 
Cannot answer that.
 

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