Eu
151.960Europium
Evropiyum
Europium is a lanthanide with atomic number 63. It is famous for red and blue phosphors, anti-counterfeiting fluorescence in euro banknotes, time-resolved fluorescence labels and unusual +2/+3 rare earth chemistry.
63
151.96 g/mol
[Xe] 4f⁷ 6s²
2 | 8 | 18 | 25 | 8 | 2
1.2
5.244 g/cm³
825.9 °C
1528.8 °C
Eugène-Anatole Demarçay
Europium was isolated by Eugène-Anatole Demarçay in 1901 after he recognized it as a separate component in samarium materials. It was named after Europe.
Europium-151
Natural abundance: About 47.8%. Half-life: About 4.6 x 10¹⁸ years. Extremely long-lived alpha-emitting isotope, often treated as stable for practical chemistry.Europium-153
Natural abundance: About 52.2%. Stable and slightly more abundant natural europium isotope.Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺
Europium-Doped Yttrium OxideRed phosphor for displays and lighting.BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺
BAM:Eu²⁺Blue phosphor in fluorescent lamps and displays.EuO
Europium(II) OxideFerromagnetic semiconductor research material.Eu-DTPA
Europium ChelateTime-resolved fluorescence label in bioassays.- Europium(III) red phosphors in displays, fluorescent lamps and white LEDs
- Europium(II) blue phosphors in lighting and display materials
- Anti-counterfeiting fluorescence features in euro banknotes and security inks
- Time-resolved fluorescence labels in biological and medical assays
- Research in redox chemistry because europium can access +2 and +3 states
Europium has no essential biological role. Europium chelate complexes are useful as long-lived fluorescent labels in biochemical assays.
- Europium gives some security documents a hidden red fluorescence under ultraviolet light.
- Eu³⁺ red emission around 611 nm was crucial for color display and lamp phosphor technology.
- Europium is unusual among lanthanides because Eu²⁺ is relatively accessible and stable.
- The half-filled 4f⁷ arrangement helps explain europium’s distinctive redox behavior.
- Europium has atomic number 63 and is a lanthanide.
- Its electron configuration is [Xe] 4f⁷ 6s².
- Europium commonly shows +2 and +3 oxidation states.
- Remember europium for red phosphors, blue phosphors and banknote fluorescence.
What is the atomic number of europium?
The atomic number of europium is 63.
What is the electron configuration of europium?
Europium has the electron configuration [Xe] 4f⁷ 6s².
What is europium used for?
Europium is used in red and blue phosphors, security printing, fluorescence labels, displays and lighting.
Why is europium used in banknotes?
Europium compounds can emit strong red fluorescence under UV light, which helps create anti-counterfeiting security features.
What colors can europium phosphors produce?
Europium(III) compounds often produce red emission, while europium(II) phosphors can produce blue emission.
Does europium have stable isotopes?
Natural europium consists mainly of europium-151 and europium-153; europium-153 is stable, while europium-151 is extremely long-lived and often treated as stable in practical chemistry.