Element Facts
SYMBOL
Pa
ATOMIC NO.
91
ATOMIC WEIGHT
231.036
CATEGORY
Actinide
PERIOD
Period 7
GROUP
Group 3
History
Protactinium’s short-lived isotope was discovered in 1913 by Kazimierz Fajans and Oswald Göhring. The longer-lived and more important protactinium-231 was isolated in 1918 independently by Otto Hahn and Lise Meitner in Germany, and by Fredrick Soddy and John Cranston in Scotland. Named as a precursor to actinium in its decay chain (proto- meaning “first”). In 1961, the UK Atomic Energy Authority produced approximately 125 grams of protactinium-231 by processing 60 tonnes of nuclear waste — still the world’s largest batch.
Uses Today
Protactinium has very limited applications. Small quantities of protactinium-231 have been used in oceanographic research to date deep-sea sediment cores (via the protactinium-231/thorium-230 dating ratio). It is also used in fundamental nuclear research. There is no significant commercial application.
Why We Don't Buy It
Why QuickStop Metals doesn’t buy Protactinium:
Protactinium is a naturally occurring radioactive metal found only in trace amounts in uranium ores. Its extreme scarcity, radioactivity, and toxicity mean it is classified as a controlled nuclear material and cannot be processed at a scrap yard. Any protactinium would be encountered only as part of nuclear waste management.
Value & Pricing
No commercial scrap market. The 1961 UKAEA production of 125 grams cost approximately £500,000 at the time. No routine commercial price exists.