Method of making a mercury based compound, mercury based compound, methods of using the mercury based compound and uses of the mercury based compound

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of making a mercury based compound, to a mercury based compound and to methods of using the mercury based compound and to uses of the mercury based compound.

Claims

1. A method of fabricating a mercury based compound, the method comprising the steps of: providing a pure mineral acid in a container; adding liquid mercury to the container; reacting the mercury and the mineral acid to form a mixture; and drying the mixture to form the mercury based compound in powder form.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mineral acid is formed in the container before, after or during the step of adding the liquid mercury.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mineral acid comprises at least one acid selected from the group of acids consisting of aqua regia, HNO.sub.3, HCl, H.sub.2SO.sub.4.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of mineral acid to liquid mercury is selected from the range of between at least substantially 0.1 to 1 and 10:1 of mineral acid to.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of drying is carried out at a temperature selected in the range of 80? to 150? C. for a time selected in the range of 30 minutes to 10 hours.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of adding a solvent, with the solvent is selected from the group of solvents consisting of a polar solvent, formic acid, ethanol, acetone, ammonia, acetic acid, a non-polar solvent, toluene, benzene and combinations thereof.

7. The method according to claim 1, the method further comprising the step of: separating residual liquid from the mixture prior to drying the mixture.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of the following steps: maintaining an initial temperature of the mixture at room temperature; heating the mixture, e.g. up to a temperature at which the mineral acid is evaporated to dry the mercury based compound; and isolating compounds that do not contain liquid mercury from the mixture.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of adding the liquid mercury to the container takes place before the mineral acid is added to the container.

10. A mercury based compound in powder form having the general chemical formula:
M.sup.1.sub.aX.sub.b where M.sup.1 is selected from the group of compounds consisting of Hg, M.sup.x.sub.cM.sup.y.sub.d and a combination thereof, with M.sup.x being Hg and M.sup.y being an arbitrary element; where X is one of a halide, sulphate nitrate and a combination thereof; and where a, b, c and d are numbers selected between 0.1 and 10.

11. The mercury based compound according to claim 10, wherein the mercury based compound is obtained by: providing a pure mineral acid in a container; adding liquid mercury to the container; reacting the mercury and the mineral acid to form a mixture; and drying the mixture to form the mercury based compound in powder form

12. The mercury based compound according to claim 10, wherein X is a halide and the halide is selected from the group of members consisting of chloride, bromide, fluoride and iodide.

13. The mercury based compound according to claim 10, wherein the mercury based compound is present in powder form at room temperature.

14. The mercury based compound according to claim 13, wherein particles of the powder have a minimum average dimension of width of at least 50 nm and a maximum average dimension of width of at most 20 ?m.

15. The mercury based compound according to claim 10, wherein an XRD spectrum of the mercury based compound includes peaks corresponding to Di-mercury sulphate (Hg2O4 S1) and Calomel (Cl2Hg2), and wherein: the peaks present in the XRD spectrum show mercury based compounds that include at least one of C, N, O, Cl, and S; or the mercury based compound is paramagnetic.

16. A method of producing metal compounds and metal elements in an endothermic reaction, the method comprising the steps of: providing a metal target material, in the molten state, with the metal target material having a proton number of greater than or equal to 26, and adding a mercury based compound; wherein the mercury based compound reacts with the metal target material to transmutate elements; and wherein the mercury based compound has the general chemical formula: M.sup.1.sub.aX.sub.b, wherein M.sup.1 is selected from the group of compounds consisting of Hg, M.sup.x.sub.cM.sup.y.sub.d and a combination thereof, with M.sup.x being Hg and M.sup.y being an arbitrary element; wherein X is one of a halide, sulphate nitrate and a combination thereof; and where a, b, c and d are numbers selected between 0.1 and 10.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the metal target material includes between 10 g and 1000000 Kg of, molten, metal target material.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein a range of between 1 mg to 100 kg of the mercury based compound are added to the metal target material.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein the ratio of mass between the mercury based compound and the metal target material is selected from the range 1:100000 to 1:100.

20. The method according to claim 16, wherein the mercury based compound comprises energy reacting with nuclei of the metal target material in order to create elements having at least one of a higher proton number and a higher neutron number.

21-25. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0074] In the following the invention will be described in detail with reference to the Figures which show examples of specific embodiments of the invention. In the Figures there is shown:

[0075] FIG. 1a is one of the XRD spectra of various mercury based compounds produced using a method as described herein;

[0076] FIG. 1b is another one of the XRD spectra of various mercury based compounds produced using a method as described herein;

[0077] FIG. 1c is yet another one of the XRD spectra of various mercury based compounds produced using a method as described herein;

[0078] FIG. 2a is one of the TEM images of various mercury based compounds produced using a method as described herein;

[0079] FIG. 2b is another one of the TEM images of various mercury based compounds produced using a method as described herein;

[0080] FIG. 2c is yet another one of the TEM images of various mercury based compounds produced using a method as described herein;

[0081] FIG. 3a is an ESR spectra of Hg before the Hg is treated with a mineral acid to form a mercury based compound;

[0082] FIG. 3b is an ESR spectra after the Hg is treated with a mineral acid to form a mercury based compound;

[0083] FIG. 4 is an FTIR spectrum of the mercury based compound 8 produced by way of the method described herein;

[0084] FIG. 5a is neutron powder diffraction results of pure aluminum target material;

[0085] FIG. 5b is neutron powder diffraction results of pure lead target material;

[0086] FIG. 5c is neutron powder diffraction results of pure copper target material;

[0087] FIG. 5d is neutron powder diffraction results after a mercury based compound has been mixed with respective target material of FIGS. 5A to 5C;

[0088] FIG. 6a is an SEM-EDS image of a mercury based compound 8;

[0089] FIG. 6b is an SEM-EDS image of the mercury based compound 8 mixed with Fe target material;

[0090] FIG. 7a is an SEM-EDS image of a mercury based compound 8;

[0091] FIG. 7b is an SEM-EDS image of the mercury based compound 8 mixed with Ni target material;

[0092] FIG. 8a is a first portion of a TOF SIMS spectrum of a mercury based compound 8 mixed with Ni target material;

[0093] FIG. 8b is a second portion of the spectrum of which FIG. 8A is a first portion;

[0094] FIG. 8c is a third portion of the spectrum of which FIGS. 8A and 8B are first and second portions;

[0095] FIG. 8d is a first portion of another TOF SIMS spectrum of a mercury based compound 8 mixed with Ni target material;

[0096] FIG. 8e is a second portion of the spectrum of which FIG. 8D is a first portion;

[0097] FIG. 8f is a third portion of the spectrum of which FIGS. 8C and 8D are first and second portions; and

[0098] FIG. 9 is an XRD spectrum of mercury based compound 8 mixed with copper target material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

[0099] The method steps employed to form different mercury based compounds in powder form will be discussed on the basis of 10 examples in the following. In order to form the mineral acid, such as aqua regia, used to react with the mercury, the following acids and mercury (99%, i.e. pure mercury) listed below were used:

[0100] A) HCL 35% Merck Emplura 1.93401.0512 CH5C650706 UN 1789

[0101] B) HNO3 69% Merck Emplura 1.93406.0521 CG5C650516 UN 2031

[0102] C) H2SO4 98% Merck Emplura 1.93400.0521 CF5C650465 UN 1830

[0103] D) Metal Hg Merck GR Batch No. AF 0A00544 UN 2809/60440302501730

Compound Example 1Aqua Regia H.SUB.2.SO.SUB.4

[0104] A container in the form of a borosil beaker, a first beaker, having a capacity of 50 ml was provided. The following acids were subsequently provided in the first beaker using a pipette. Initially 15 ml of HCL were provided in the first beaker then 5 ml of HNO.sub.3 were added to the HCL. The mixture was stored for 1 hour. Following which 5 ml of H2SO4 were gradually mixed into the first beaker to form a mineral acid, this was then stored for one hour. In a second beaker, also a borosil beaker, 18 g of Hg were provided and the mineral acid was gradually added to the contents present in the second beaker containing Hg. This started a reaction. The reaction was allowed to take place for 24 hours. This formed a slurry containing the mercury based compound and a mixture containing remnants of the mineral acid, liquid mercury and reaction products. After 24 hours the mixture containing the remnants was separated from the second beaker. In order to separate the mixture containing remnants from the slurry containing the particulate Hg bound by the mineral acid, the beaker was simply tilted and the mixture was poured off. The remaining slurry was then heated using a hot plate heated to temperatures ranging from 90? C. to 135? C. for 1.5 hours. This yielded 18 g of the mercury based compound in dry powder form.

Compound Example 2Reverse Aqua Regia H.SUB.2.SO.SUB.4

[0105] 15 ml of HNO.sub.3 were placed in a first beaker then 5 ml of HCL were added. The acid solution was stored for 1 hour following which 5 ml of H.sub.2SO.sub.4 were gradually added to the acid solution to form a mineral acid. The mineral acid was then allowed to sit for one hour. In a second beaker 20 g of Hg were provided and the mineral acid was gradually added to the contents present in the second beaker containing Hg. This started a reaction. The reaction was allowed to take place for 24 hours. This formed a slurry containing the mercury based compound and a mixture containing remnants of the mineral acid, liquid mercury and reaction products. After 24 hours the mixture containing the remnants was separated from the second beaker. In order to separate the mixture containing remnants from the slurry containing the particulate Hg bound by the mineral acid, the beaker was simply tilted and the mixture was poured off. The remaining slurry was then heated using a hot plate heated to temperatures ranging from 90? C. to 135? C. for 1.5 hours. This yielded 20 g of mercury based compound in dry powder form.

Compound Example 3Aqua Regia

[0106] 15 ml of HCL were placed in a first beaker then 5 ml of HNO.sub.3 were added to form a mineral acid. The mineral acid was stored for 1 hour. Thereafter 16 g of Hg were provided in a second beaker and the mineral acid was gradually added to the contents present in the second beaker containing Hg. This started a reaction. The reaction was allowed to take place for 24 hours. This formed a slurry containing the mercury based compound and a mixture containing remnants of the mineral acid, liquid mercury and reaction products. After 24 hours the mixture containing the remnants was separated from the second beaker. In order to separate the mixture containing remnants from the slurry containing the particulate Hg bound by the mineral acid, the second beaker was simply tilted and the mixture was poured off. The remaining slurry was then heated using a hot plate heated to temperatures ranging from 90? C. to 135? C. for 1.5 hours. This yielded 2.5 g of the mercury based compound in dry powder form.

Compound Example 4Reverse Aqua Regia

[0107] 15 ml of HNO.sub.3 were placed in a first beaker then 5 ml of HCL were added. The solution was stored for 1 hour. Following which 17 g of Hg were provided in a second beaker and the formed mineral acid was gradually added to the second beaker containing Hg. This started a reaction. The reaction was allowed to take place for 24 hours. This formed a slurry containing the mercury based compound and a mixture containing remnants of the mineral acid, liquid mercury and reaction products. After 24 hours the mixture containing the remnants was separated from the second beaker. In order to separate the mixture containing remnants from the slurry containing the particulate Hg bound by the mineral acid, the beaker was simply tilted and the mixture was poured off. The remaining slurry was then heated using a hot plate heated to temperatures ranging from 90? C. to 135? C. for 1.5 hours. This yielded 7 g of the mercury based compound in dry powder form.

Compound Example 5HNO.SUB.3 .and H.SUB.2.SO.SUB.4 .at a Ratio of 1:1

[0108] 17 g of Hg were provided in a beaker, following which 17 ml of HNO.sub.3 were gradually added. This started a reaction in which the Hg was completely dissolved in the HNO.sub.3 within 10 to 15 minutes. Following which 17 ml of H.sub.2SO.sub.4 were gradually added to the mixture containing Hg and HNO.sub.3. The following reaction caused a precipitation of material. The following reaction was allowed to take place for 10 hours. This formed a slurry containing the mercury based compound and a mixture containing remnants of the mineral acid and reaction products. After 10 hours the mixture containing the remnants was separated from the second beaker. In order to separate the mixture containing remnants from the slurry containing the particulate Hg bound by the mineral acid, the beaker was simply tilted and the mixture was poured off. The remaining slurry was then heated using a hot plate heated to temperatures ranging from 90? C. to 135? C. for 6 hours. This yielded 21 g of the mercury based compound in dry powder form.

Compound Example 6HNO.SUB.3 .and HCL at a Ratio of 1:1

[0109] 16 g of Hg were provided in a beaker, following which 16 ml of HNO.sub.3 were gradually added. This started a reaction in which the Hg was completely dissolved in the HNO.sub.3 within 10 to 15 minutes. Following which 16 ml of HCL were gradually added to the HNO.sub.3 solution containing Hg. The following reaction caused a precipitation of material. This formed a slurry containing the mercury based compound and a mixture containing remnants of the mineral acid and reaction products. After 10 hours the mixture containing the remnants was separated from the beaker. In order to separate the mixture containing remnants from the slurry containing the particulate Hg bound by the mineral acid, the beaker was simply tilted and the mixture was poured off. The remaining slurry was then heated using a hot plate heated to temperatures ranging from 90? C. to 135? C. for 3 hours until dry powder was available. This yielded 10 g of the mercury based compound in dry powder form.

Compound Example 7H.SUB.2.SO.SUB.4 .and HNO.SUB.3 .10 ml:4 ml

[0110] 10 g of Hg were provided in a beaker, following which 10 ml of H.sub.2SO.sub.4 were gradually added. The contents of the beaker was allowed to stand for 15 minutes before 4 ml of HNO.sub.3 were gradually added. This started a reaction in which the Hg was completely brought into contact and reacted with the mineral acid formed by the H.sub.2SO.sub.4 and the HNO.sub.3. The reaction was allowed to take place for 10 hours. This formed a slurry containing the mercury based compound and a mixture containing remnants of the mineral acid and further reaction products. After 10 hours the mixture containing the remnants was separated from the beaker. In order to separate the mixture containing remnants from the slurry containing the particulate Hg bound by the mineral acid, the first beaker was simply tilted and the mixture was poured off. The remaining slurry was then heated using a hot plate heated to temperatures ranging from 90? C. to 135? C. for 4 hours until the powder was dried. This yielded 15 g of mercury based compound in dry powder form.

Compound Example 8Aqua Regia HCl 30 ml:HNO.SUB.3 .10 ml+H.SUB.2.SO.SUB.4

[0111] 30 ml HCL were placed in a first beaker then 10 ml of HNO.sub.3 were added. This resultant aqua regia was allowed to store for two hours. Following which 20 ml of the aqua regia were removed and placed into a third beaker. Following which 5 ml of H.sub.2SO.sub.4 were gradually mixed into the aqua regia to form a mineral acid. The mineral acid was allowed to store for two hours. From the prepared mineral acid 2 ml of solution were then taken and gradually added into a second beaker containing 20 g of Hg this was then stirred for 15 seconds, following which the reaction started. The reaction formed a slurry containing the mercury based compound and a mixture containing remnants of the mineral acid, liquid mercury and reaction products. After 10 hours the mixture containing the remnants was separated from the second beaker. In order to separate the mixture containing remnants from the slurry containing the particulate Hg bound by the mineral acid, the second beaker was simply tilted and the mixture was poured off. The metal was then removed from the compound metal and heated on a hot plate heated to a temperature ranging from 90? C. to 135? C. for 1.5 hours until the solution became dry. This yielded 6.5 g of mercury based compound in dry powder form.

Compound Example 9HNO3

[0112] 11.3 g of Hg were placed in a beaker following which 11 ml of HNO3 were added to the Hg. This started a reaction in which the Hg was completely dissolved in the HNO.sub.3 within 15 minutes. The solution was heated for 1 hour on a hot plate at a temperature ranging from 90? C. to 135? C. Once the heating is started the precipitation starts. The heating step evaporated all of the acid and made the dry powder mercury based compound within one hour. This yielded 15 g of mercury based compound in powder form.

Compound Example 10Aqua Regia HCL 15 ml:HNO.SUB.3 .5 ml

[0113] 15 ml of HCL were placed in a first beaker following which 5 ml of HNO.sub.3 were added to form a mineral acid. The mineral acid was kept for two hours. 10.9 g of Hg were placed into a second beaker and the mineral acid was gradually added in order to start the reaction. The reaction started and was kept in the beaker for one hour. The contents of the second beaker was stored on a hot plate and heated to a temperature ranging from 90? C. to 135? C. for 2.5 hours. This yielded 13.9 g of mercury based compound in dry powder form.

[0114] The mercury based compounds obtained employing the above methods were investigated using XRD, TEM, FTIR and SEM-EDS.

[0115] Table 1 below shows a list of prominent peaks observed in each of the spectra for the mercury based compounds 1 to 10 whose method of production is listed above. The peaks for the mercury based compounds 1, 2 and 8 can also be seen in FIGS. 1a to 1c.

TABLE-US-00001 Com- Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak pound [?2?] [?2?] [?2?] [?2?] [?2?] [?2?] 1 21.289 28.105 40.414 43.796 52.686 63.008 2 22.744 29.467 35.011 41.238 55.802 62.893 4 28.987 31.679 37.322 39.898 46.854 55.840 5 22.880 29.485 42.108 50.898 62.909 67.959 6 21.474 26.493 31.715 33.110 37.218 55.219 7 22.898 26.404 27.146 29.590 44.384 55.985 8 21.344 28.056 40.782 43.769 45.906 65.893 9 22.126 27.975 31.563 36.985 45.932 62.890 10 29.025 32.716 37.170 46.160 51.587 66.486

[0116] Table 1 shows some of the most prominent peaks [at ? 2?] yielded by the diffraction pattern in the XRD spectrum of the respective compounds 1 to 10. The six peaks shown are not always the most prominent peaks but are arbitrarily selected to show the variety of peaks present in the diffraction pattern.

[0117] The X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) spectra shown in FIGS. 1a to 1c respectively, were taken with a stationary X-ray tube and the respective sample of powder was moved by the angle ? and the detector was simultaneously moved by the angle of 2?. In FIG. 1a pronounced peaks can, amongst others be seen at 21.289, 28.105, 40.414, 43.796, 46.180 and 63.008.

[0118] FIG. 1b shows pronounced peaks at 22.744, 29.467, 35.011, 55.802 and 62.893. FIG. 1c shows pronounced peaks at 21.344, 28.056, 35.302, 40.782. 43.769, 63.093 and 65.893. Generally speaking the pronounced peaks shown in FIGS. 1a to 1c are indicative of Dimercury (I) Sulfate (VI) and of Calomel as well as of mercury compounds containing C, O, Cl, S and Hg. The ratio of Dimercury (I) Sulfate (VI) to Calomel for the respective compounds is typically in the range of 85:15 to 95:5. In particular the ratio of Dimercury (I) Sulfate (VI) to Calomel of FIG. 1c is approximately 9:1.

[0119] FIGS. 2a to 2c show TEM images of the same compounds 1, 2 and 8 produced using the methods discussed above. As can be seen particles of the powder obtained generally have average dimensional sizes of width of 100 nm to 3 ?m in the samples shown. In other samples the average dimensional size may be as small as 50 nm and as large as 10 ?m. These images show that a very fine powder is produced using the method in accordance with the invention to produce a mercury based compound.

[0120] Table 2 below shows that the mercury based compounds 1 to 10 produced using the methods described above form mercury based compounds comprising C, O, Cl, N and S respectively.

TABLE-US-00002 Com- Ele- Ele- Ele- Ele- Ele- Ele- Ele- pound ment ment ment ment ment ment ment 1 C O Cl Hg Nb Ta 2 C O Hg S Mo 3 C O Cl Hg 4 C O Hg 5 C O S Hg 6 C O Cl Hg 7 C O S Hg 8 C O S Cl Hg Zr Ru 9 C O Hg 10 C O Cl Ni Hg

[0121] Table 2 shows the compounds revealed during SEM-EDS measurements of the respective compounds 1 to 10.

[0122] This mercury based compound thus has energy and this energy of the mercury based compound is used for the transmutation of the elements, i.e. the generation of fusion products which explains the presence of atoms, such as H, C, N, O, Zr, Ru.

[0123] FIGS. 3a and 3b show respective ESR images of the mercury (FIG. 3a) used to make the mercury based compound and of the mercury based compound (FIG. 3b). FIG. 3a shows the expected spectrum for naturally occurring mercury. Following the production of the mercury based compound the mercury based compound is found to be paramagnetic, as is indicated by the peak in the spectrum of FIG. 3b. Thus, on the production of the mercury based compound a previously non-paramagnetic compound is transformed into a paramagnetic based compound.

[0124] FIG. 4 shows a Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectrum (FTIR) of the mercury based compound 8. The peaks seen in the spectrum hint at the respective presence of amines, alcohols, bromoalkanes, chloroalkanes and esters.

[0125] Similar peaks can be seen in the spectra associated with the remaining mercury based compounds 1 to 10. These are listed in table 3 in the following. The peaks shown in FIG. 4 and those listed in table 3 indicate that the mercury based powder is not composed of pure Hg, but includes different compounds. The compounds included show traces of H, C, O, and N and are thus organometallic compounds.

TABLE-US-00003 Com- pound Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak 1 454.64 576.81 850.21 1006.95 1174.30 1611.60 2 577.28 655.83 1082.78 1383.60 1613.22 3585.44 3 615.87 1023.71 1381.47 1630.89 2919.99 3435.09 4 563.14 802.34 1290.10 1366.09 1612.78 3585.31 5 581.23 659.89 1070.03 1174.66 1613.36 3585.85 6 465.72 561.10 1036.19 1358.60 1613.30 3526.81 7 575.98 1006.72 1288.40 1609.49 2900.27 3582.32 8 572.25 596.69 939.74 1110.44 1384.33 3425.94 9 561.50 981.12 1382.35 1495.26 3527.89 3589.72 10 463.64 559.83 1022.44 1612.62 3525.18 3584.84

[0126] Table 3 shows some of the most prominent peaks (wavenumber cm.sup.?1) present in the FITR spectrum of the respective compounds 1 to 10. The six peaks shown are not always the most prominent peaks but are arbitrarily selected to show the variety of peaks present in the spectrum.

[0127] In the following results of mixing the mercury based compound 8 with various target materials will be discussed.

[0128] FIG. 5a in this connection shows neutron powder diffraction results of pure Al, FIG. 5b shows neutron powder diffraction results of pure Pb, FIG. 5c shows neutron powder diffraction results of pure Cu, whereas FIG. 5d shows neutron powder diffraction results of various target materials reacted with the mercury based compound 8. The spectrum of the pure metals shown in FIGS. 5a to 5c show the peaks that are generally associated with Al, Pb and Cu respectively.

[0129] In order to bring about the reaction between e.g. the Al and the mercury based compound 8, the Al was provided as a foil of Al and the mercury based compound was brought into contact with the Al in a container. As the reaction took place heat and subatomic particles were produced along with many new elements and the previously crystalline Al was transformed into an amorphous Al. The reactions described below in tables 4 and 5 were carried out in order to produce the reaction with Pb and Cu target material.

[0130] The neutron powder diffraction results of FIG. 5d shows 4 different curves. One of these curves shows that the Al has been transformed from an essentially crystalline form of Al to an amorphous form of Al. The other three curves show respective results of neutron powder diffraction for target elements Pb, Fe and Cu. Also these elements have transmuted into many other elements and have crystal defects and result in a porous structure and show peaks that are not generally associated with the pure target material. It is believed that the change from crystalline Al to amorphous Al is due to the fact that the mercury based compound acts as a source of energy that is capable of changing the structure of the target material, this is also believed to be the explanation for the change in the crystal structure present in the curves relating to Pb, Fe and Cu.

[0131] Glow Discharge Mass Spectroscopy (GDMS) data of the Al target material in foil form reacted with the mercury based compound shows the presence of many new elements alloyed with the Al, such as H, C, O, Si, S, Se, Zr, Ba, W, Au, Pt, Ir, Ti.

[0132] The change in the structure of the target element is confirmed by conductivity tests conducted on samples of copper that has been used as a molten target element and that has been mixed with the mercury based compound 8. The test equipment used was a Technofour Conductivity Meter, Type: 979 (CM 979). In these conductivity tests the conductivity of the Cu that reacted with the mercury based compound was found to be approximately 80% of the International Annealed Copper Standard (conversion value in Meter ?46.63, 46.45, 46.69 ? mm.sup.2 Siemens respectively for the 3 samples measured) indicating that also in this case a change in the electronic structure of the copper was brought about on the addition of the mercury based compound 8 to copper target material (see table 5 below).

[0133] FIG. 6a shows an SEM-EDS (scanning electron microscopy coupled with Energy dispersive X-ray) image of mercury based compound 8 (see table 3 for the analysis results thereof). The powder has crystals ranging from 1 ?m to 10 ?m in size. The powder appears to have a very crystalline form as would be expected for a pure metal compound. Following the addition of the mercury based compound to a molten bath of iron (Fe) in a process similar to that discussed in relation with Tables 4 and 5 in the following an SEM image of the resultant Fe compound was taken, the resultant image is shown in FIG. 6b. The resultant structure is not crystalline as would be expected. It rather appears porous. Thus, a change of the electronic structure of the Fe is brought about through the addition of the mercury based compound 8. Moreover, analyzing the resultant Fe compound shows the presence of not only Fe, but also of C, O, Cl, Cu, Ti, Ru, Na, Si, S, Au and Ca alloyed with the Fe.

[0134] FIGS. 7a and 7b show SEM-EDS images similar to those of FIGS. 6a and 6b. The Fe was however replaced with Ni as a target element. Also in this instance the expected crystalline structure of the Ni can no longer be seen, but rather also a porous form of Ni appears to be present. Moreover, the resultant Ni compound was analyzed and in addition to the presence of Ni, also C, Cl, K, Fe, and O was found to be present. Hence the Nickel also alloyed with many new elements produced as fusion products.

[0135] FIGS. 8a-8c and 8d-8f show a complete TOF-SIMS spectrum of the mercury based compound 8 reacted with Ni target material. The various spectra (3 in FIGS. 8a-8c and 3 in FIGS. 8d-8f of the spectrum show the number of counts per mass of the resultant Ni compound. A variety of peaks can be seen in the different spectra.

[0136] As the sample metal which was combined with the mercury based compound is nickel (purity of better than 99.0%) one would expect to see two clear peaks in the spectrum, namely one for nickel around mass number 58 and one for mercury at around a mass of 200. Inspecting the spectrum the two most significant peaks (counts/per mass) present are at 23 and around 208.

[0137] Inspecting the different spectra further, a variety of further peaks can be seen. Surprisingly these peaks are associated with elements that were previously not expected. For example, for the peak centered around 102.91 [amu] (FIG. 8a) shows the presence of Rh and HRu, as an organometallic compound of high density elements like Au, Ag, and PGM (Platinum group metals).

[0138] For the peak centered around 144.94 [amu] (FIG. 8a) one observes the presence of C2H5NRu and C3H6Rh. The peaks respectively centered at approximately 206, 207, 208 and 246 [amu] (FIG. 8a) are indicative of the presence of CH2Os, C4H10NO2Ru, CH2Ir, C4H10OCs, C3H8N4Ag, C3H10N2O2Ru, H2NOs, C2H8N5Pd, CH8N5ORu, C4H12NO2Rh, CH4Ir, C2H1N4ORh, C7N4Ag, C5H5O5Ru, CH5N2O6Pd, C3H3N3O4Ru, C9H2NOAg and C6H4O4Ag.

[0139] This is somewhat surprising as these elements are not normally associated as being contaminants of substantially pure Ni. It is believed that the mercury based compound acts as a source of energy that causes a reaction to take place in which transmutation of some elements occurs.

[0140] Similar results are obtained when inspecting TOF-SIMS spectra of the Cu metal compound produced once copper target material has been mixed with the mercury based compound 8. In these spectra the presence of Cu, Rh, Pd, O, CH2, Ru, C and Ag can be seen.

[0141] Some of the Examples of the mercury based compound previously discussed were added to a molten lead bath and to a molten copper bath respectively. The reactions are discussed in the following tables. The lead metal used was granular and LR grade (make SD Fine Chem. Ltd SDFCL 500 g pack-H 123/4521/2302/13 39014 K05). The minimum assay of the lead was 99.0% and had maximum limits of impurity of Fe 0.01% and Cu 0.01%.

TABLE-US-00004 Time Process Amount of Temperature Amount of for No. lead of lead Compound Compound reaction 1 30 g 700? C. 1 300 mg 5 mins 2 30 g 700? C. 2 270 mg 5 mins 3 30 g 700? C. 5 360 mg 5 mins 4 30 g 700? C. 6 570 mg 5 mins 5 30 g 700? C. 7 390 mg 5 mins 6 30 g 700? C. 8 360 mg 5 mins 7 30 g 700? C. 9 500 mg 5 mins 8 30 g 700? C. 10 500 mg 5 mins

[0142] Table 4: shows reaction parameters for reacting Pb with the mercury based compound.

[0143] In general the mercury based compound was added to the metal lead that was heated to the molten state, i.e. to 700? C., this means above the melting point of the target element, in a graphite crucible that was heated in a furnace (electric, coal, oil, gas fired). Once the lead was heated until it was red hot, i.e. present in the molten state, the compound was added to the molten lead and the reaction was allowed to take place for a certain period of time while the mixture was stirred with e.g. a graphite rod. Following this the graphite crucible was removed from the furnace and allowed to cool down to room temperature so as to solidify the lead to a metal button.

[0144] In order to mix copper with the mercury based compound the same steps were carried out the difference being that the copper was heated to a different temperature, i.e. to 1200? C., this means above the melting point of the target element, to obtain the molten state. The copper used was copper metal turning LR grade (make SD Fine Chem. Ltd. SDFCL 500 gm packspecifications L13 A/1513 2211/13-37812 K05). The copper has a minimum assay of 99.5% and 0.05% of the substances were insoluble in nitric acid.

TABLE-US-00005 Time Process Amount of Temperature Amount of for No. copper of copper Compound Compound reaction 1 30 g 1200? C. 1 480 mg 5 mins 2 30 g 1200? C. 2 480 mg 5 mins 3 30 g 1200? C. 5 570 mg 5 mins 4 30 g 1200? C. 6 575 mg 5 mins 5 30 g 1200? C. 7 460 mg 5 mins 6 30 g 1200? C. 8 410 mg 5 mins 7 30 g 1200? C. 9 150 mg 5 mins 8 30 g 1200? C. 10 500 mg 5 mins

[0145] Table 5: shows reaction parameters for reacting Cu with the mercury based compound.

[0146] FIG. 9 shows an XRD spectrum of the resultant copper compound once mercury based compound 8 has been added to the molten copper target material (see Table 5). The same spectrometer was used as that used to measure the spectra shown in FIG. 1. Respective peaks centered at around 36.416, 43.29, 50.416, 61.404 and 74.200 can be seen. On conducting these diffraction patterns it was not apparent which materials all of these peak correspond to. This indicates that not only copper but also other materials are present in the resultant copper compound. A corresponding SEM-EDS measurement yields that only 96.37% by weight of copper remain in the sample and that 3.63% by weight of carbon is present in one sample of the investigated resultant copper compound. In a second sample only 71.09% by weight copper is found and the remaining copper compound yields 25.11% by weight carbon and 3.8% by weight of oxygen. These results are highly surprising and unexpected.

[0147] In this connection it should be noted that impurity atoms or alloying atoms are produced by nuclear transmutations due to the addition of the mercury based compound to a molten bath of target material, with the mercury based compound reacting with the nuclei of target material. Fusion products, such as H, C, N, O, S and subatomic particles are generated during nuclear transmutation. The significant presence of both C and O in the SEM-EDS measurements of previously pure copper that has been reacted with the mercury based compound could thus be explained by nuclear transmutation reaction products.

[0148] Inspecting the TOF-SIMS results obtained (see FIGS. 8a-8f) following the reaction of Ni target element with the mercury based compound can also be explained on the basis of nuclear transmutation.

[0149] The invention will be described in the following using the language of the inventor:

[0150] The present disclosure relates to a metal compound of general Formula (I)

M.sup.1XFormula I

M.sup.1 is selected from a group comprising but not limiting to Mercury Metal (Hg), M.sup.xM.sup.y and a combination thereof; wherein M.sup.x is but not limiting to Mercury Metal (Hg), and M.sup.y is one or more element of the periodic table other than Mercury Metal (Hg):
and
X is selected from a group comprising but not limiting to halide, sulphate, nitrate and combination thereof.

[0151] In an embodiment of the above Formula (I), the halide is selected from a group comprising chloride, bromide, fluoride and iodide.

[0152] In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to the metal compound of general Formula (I) having energy.

[0153] In another embodiment, the metal compound of general Formula (I) is employed as an energy source.

[0154] The present disclosure further relates to a process for preparing a metal compound of general Formula (I)

M.sup.1XFormula (I)

M.sup.1 is selected from a group comprising but not limiting to Mercury Metal (Hg), M.sup.xM.sup.y and a combination thereof, wherein M.sup.x is but not limiting to Mercury Metal (Hg), and M.sup.y is one or more element of the periodic table other than Mercury Metal (Hg), And
X is selected from a group comprising but not limiting to halide, sulphate, nitrate and combination thereof, wherein said process comprises reacting metal M.sup.1 with acid to obtain the compound of Formula (I).

[0155] In an embodiment, the metal M.sup.1 is selected from a group comprising but not limiting to Mercury Metal (Hg), M.sup.xM.sup.y and a combination thereof, wherein M.sup.x is but not limiting to Mercury Metal (Hg), and M.sup.y is one or more element of the periodic table other than Mercury Metal (Hg).

[0156] In another embodiment, the acid is selected from a group comprising inorganic acid, organic acid and a combination thereof.

[0157] In yet another embodiment, the acid is selected from a group comprising but not limited to HCl, HNO.sub.3, H.sub.2SO.sub.4 and combinations thereof.

[0158] In still another embodiment, the process of preparation of compound of Formula (I) is optionally carried out in presence of a solvent. In another embodiment, the solvent is selected from a group comprising polar solvent, non-polar solvent and a combination thereof.

[0159] In still another embodiment, the process of preparation of compound of Formula (I) optionally comprises steps selected from a group comprising stirring, heating, isolation and combinations thereof.

[0160] In still another embodiment, the process of preparation of compound of Formula (I) is carried out at a temperature starting from room temperature.

[0161] The present disclosure relates to the application of compound of Formula (I) for the conversion of target element(s) into other element(s). The present disclosure also provides a method of conversion of target element(s) into other element(s) by employing the compound of Formula (I).

[0162] In an embodiment, the conversion of target element is carried out by reacting the compound of Formula (I) with said target element. In another embodiment, the compound of Formula (I) converts the target element into other elements including organometallic compounds of higher density elements, low mass elements, high mass elements, hydrocarbons, gold, silver, platinum group metals and rare earth elements, or any combination thereof.

[0163] In another embodiment, the compound of Formula (I) reacts with the nucleus of the target element and converts the target element into other elements.

[0164] In another embodiment, some percentage of the target element in the aforesaid reaction is converted to other elements.

[0165] In yet another embodiment, the target element is selected from a group comprising iron to bismuth or any combination thereof, M.sup.AE and a combination thereof, wherein

M.sup.A is any element selected from iron to bismuth or any combination thereof; E is selected from one or more element of the periodic table other than iron to bismuth.

[0166] In still another embodiment, the target element is present in molten state, gaseous state, liquid state or solid state, or any combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the target element is present in molten state or liquid state.

[0167] As used in the present disclosure, the term element includes the elements of the periodic table and its isotopes.

[0168] The present disclosure also relates to the application of compound of Formula (I) for conversion of target element(s) into other element(s) and release/generation of energy. The present disclosure further provides a method of conversion of target element(s) into other element(s) and release/generation of energy by employing the compound of Formula (I).

[0169] In an embodiment, the energy is released/generated by reacting the compound of Formula (I) with a target element. In another embodiment, the compound of Formula (I) converts the target element into other elements and releases/generates energy.

[0170] In still another embodiment, the compound of Formula (I) reacts with the nucleus of the target element and converts the target element into other elements and releases/generates energy.

[0171] In another embodiment, the target element is selected from a group comprising hydrogen to manganese or any combination thereof, M.sup.BF and a combination thereof, wherein

M.sup.B is any element selected from hydrogen to manganese, or any combination thereof;
F is selected from one or more element of the periodic table other than hydrogen to manganese.

[0172] In still another embodiment, the target element is present in gaseous form, solid form, liquid form or molten state.

[0173] In another embodiment, released/generated energy is used for production of electricity, fuel and other applications related to energy.

[0174] In still another embodiment, the compound of Formula (I) reacts with a target element selected from one or more element of the periodic table and converts said target element into other elements and releases/generates energy. In another embodiment, the released/generated energy is used for production of electricity, fuel and other applications related to energy. In yet another embodiment, the target element is present in solid state, gaseous state, molten state or liquid state.

[0175] It is believed that the energy released during the reaction is in the form of heat and/or subatomic particles, such as ?-Photons, ?-Electrons, p or 1H-protons, n-Neutron, d or 2D-Deuterons, t or 3T-tritons, ?- or 4He-particles.

[0176] It should further be noted that the mercury based compound can be added to any element available and it is believed that the mercury based compound can be used to react with the nucleus of the target elements/isotopes and converts target elements into many other elements, such as radionuclides for medical applications, actinides, trans-actinides, i.e. so-called super heavy elements, as well as to produce so-called missing elements like Tc, Pm and At.

[0177] Further applications related to energy are the use of the mercury based compound for fuel for Jet Propulsion, as a nuclear battery for space flight, satellites and remote area access and for the production of charged particles for aneutronic fusion.

[0178] It should also be noted that the mercury based compound can be used in the production of organometallic compound of high density elements (Au, Ag, PGM bond with low mass elements, i.e. lighter elements like H, C, N, O, S etc.), high density elements (Au, Ag, PGM Nano particle and micron size particles, low mass elements, high mass elements, and rare earth elements.