Superheavy element flerovium (element 114) is a volatile metal

Yakushev, A.*; Gates, J. M.*; Trler, A.*; Schdel, M.; Dllmann, Ch. E.*; Ackermann, D.*; Andersson, L.-L.*; Block, M.*; Brchle, W.*; Dvorak, J.*; Eberhardt, K.*; Essel, H. G.*; Even, J.*; Forsberg, U.*; Gorshkov, A.*; Graeger, R.*; Gregorich, K. E.*; Hartmann, W.*; Herzberg, R.-D.*; Heberger, F. P.*; Hild, D.*; Hbner, A.*; Jger, E.*; Khuyagbaatar, J.*; Kindler, B.*; Kratz, J. V.*; Krier, J.*; Kurz, N.*; Lommel, B.*; Niewischt, L.*; Nitsche, H.*; Omtvedt, J. P.*; Parr, E.*; Qin, Z.*; Rudolph, D.*; Runke, J.*; Schausten, B.*; Schimpf, E.*; Semchenkov, A.*; Steiner, J.*; Thrle-Pospiech, P.*; Uusitalo, J.*; Wegrzecki, M.*; Wiehl, N.*

We report on a gas-solid chromatography study of the adsorption of element 114 (flerovium, Fl) on a Au surface. Fl was produced in the nuclear fusion reaction Pu(Ca, 3-4n)Fl and was isolated in-flight from the primary beam in a physical recoil separator. The adsorption behavior of Fl, its nuclear -decay product Cn, their lighter homologues in groups 14 and 12, i.e., Pb and Hg, and the noble gas Rn were studied simultaneously by isothermal gas chromatography and thermochromatography. Two Fl atoms were detected. They adsorbed on a Au surface at room temperature, but not as readily as Pb and Hg. The observed adsorption behavior of Fl points to a higher inertness compared to its nearest homologue in the group, Pb. However, the measured lower limit for the adsorption enthalpy of Fl on a Au surface points to the formation of a metal-metal bond of Fl with Au. Fl is the least reactive element in the group, but still a metal.