The Extraction of Silver and the Effect of Diluent,Ligand Side Group and Solvent Composition

Solvent extraction and the so called BTBP class of ligands can be used for the separation of the actinides from the rest of used nuclear fuel. One troublesome co-extracting element in this separation is silver.Therefore, two different BTBP molecules, having different side groups have been investigated. It was shown that the silver distribution ratio is higher using the CyMe4-BTBP than theC2 -BTBP ligand. In additional experiments, it was shown that no water soluble silver complex is formed in the CyMe4 system and that the complex is one ligand/metal. No effect of varying the diluent/solvent was proven.     

Basicity, complexation ability and interfacial behavior of BTBPs: a simulation study

BTBPs represent an important class of tetradentate heterocyclic ligands with N-donor binding sites that have been recently developed to separate trivalent actinides from lanthanides. We first investigate by QM calculations the conformational properties, basicity and complexation energies with Eu(NO(3))(3), comparing BTBP derivatives with alkyl substituents on the pyridinyl or triazinyl moieties to their conformationally cis-locked BTPhen analogues. The latter, preorganized for protonation and complexation, are found to be more basic and to afford more stable complexes. We next explore the interfacial behavior of CyMe(4)BTBP in its neutral versus protonated states and of 1:1 Eu(NO(3))(3)(CyMe(4)BTBP) complexes at the aqueous interface with an octanol-hexane mixture. The neutral BTBP ligand displays no visible surface activity, whereas protonated and complexed ligands are surface active. Taken together, the QM and MD results suggest that Eu(III) extraction by BTBPs occurs at the interface, via the protonated form of the ligand in acidic conditions, explaining why the extraction kinetics is slow and why BTPhen ligands are more efficient than BTBPs.     

Nitric Acid Extraction into TODGA

Advanced solvent extraction processes, namely DIAMEX, SANEX or GANEX, for the separation of the minor actinides (americium and curium) are under development within Europe. The tridentate diglycolamide ligand, TODGA, shows many interesting properties and is under investigation in conjunction with a variety of other extractants for the DIAMEX and SANEX processes as well as the GANEX process. In order to successfully demonstrate these processes, understanding the acid extraction into the organic phases is critical to process flowsheet design and modelling. Here nitric acid extractions into TODGA have been measured and models produced using an equilibrium based approach accounting for nitric acid activities in the aqueous phase.     

Comparison of the effect of alpha and gamma radiolysis on the extraction of americium by C5-BTBP in cyclohexanone

Solvent extraction is a separation technique suitable for the treatment of used nuclear fuel. Two immiscible phases are contacted and the metals of interest are extracted from one phase into the other, most often using so called extractants. One group of extractants is the bis(triazine)-bipyridine (BTBP) type molecules. These molecules have been developed within EU research programs for the separation of actinides from lanthanides. During such an extraction process, the components of the two phases will be exposed to ionizing radiation, since the used fuel contains many highly radioactive species. Radiolytic reactions can alter the chemistry of the extracting system, and affect the metal extraction by degradation of the extractant and the formation of degradation products. In this paper the effect of irradiation with alpha particles and gamma rays, respectively, has been studied for one of the BTBP type molecules, C5-BTBP.     

Complexes formed between the quadridentate, heterocyclic molecules 6,6'-bis-(5,6-dialkyl-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)-2,2'-bipyridine (BTBP) and lanthanides(III): implications for the partitioning of actinides(III) and lanthanides(III)

New hydrophobic, tetradentate nitrogen heterocyclic reagents, 6,6'-bis-(5,6-dialkyl-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)-2,2'-bipyridines (BTBPs) have been synthesised. These reagents form complexes with lanthanides and crystal structures with 11 different lanthanides have been determined. The majority of the structures show the lanthanide to be 10-coordinate with stoichiometry [Ln(BTBP)(NO3)3] although Yb and Lu are 9-coordinate in complexes with stoichiometry [Ln(BTBP)(NO3)2(H2O)](NO3). In these complexes the BTBP ligands are tetradentate and planar with donor nitrogens mutually cisi.e. in the cis, cis, cis conformation. Crystal structures of two free molecules, namely C2-BTBP and CyMe4-BTBP have also been determined and show different conformations described as cis, trans, cis and trans, trans, trans respectively. A NMR titration between lanthanum nitrate and C5-BTBP showed that two different complexes are to be found in solution, namely [La(C5-BTBP)2]3+ and [La(C5-BTBP)(NO3)3]. The BTBPs dissolved in octanol were able to extract Am(III) and Eu(III) from 1 M nitric acid with large separation factors.     

Reactions of ligands from BT(B)P family with solvated electrons and benzophenone ketyl radicals in 1-octanol solutions. Pulse radiolysis study

Pulse radiolysis involving reactions of solvated electrons and benzophenone ketyl radicals in 1-octanol with selected compounds from bis-triazinyl pyridines and bis-triazinyl bipyridines, BT(B)P family, developed for extraction of trivalent actinides have been studied. The designated ligands were: 2,6-bis(5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-benzo-[1,2,4]triazin-3-yl)pyridine, 6,6′-bis(5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-benzo-[1,2,4-]triazin-3-yl)-[2,2′]bipyridine, 6,6′-bis(5,6-diethyl-[1,2,4]triazin-3-yl)-[2,2′]bipyridine and 6,6′-bis(5,6-dipentyl-[1,2,4]triazin-3-yl)-[2,2′]bipyridine. Reactions of the ligands with solvated electrons in 1-octanol are fast. The rate constants were determined as equal to: $ k_{{{\text{CyMe}}_{4} {\text{BTP}}}} . $  = (2.4 ± 0.2) × 10⁹ dm³ mol^?1 s^?1, $ k_{{{\text{CyMe}}_{ 4} {\text{BTBP}}}} $  = (1.7 ± 0.3) × 10⁹ dm³ mol^?1 s^?1, $ k_{{{\text{C}}_{ 2} {\text{BTBP}}}} $  = (1.3 ± 0.3) × 10⁹ dm³ mol^?1 s^?1 and $ k_{{{\text{C}}_{ 5} {\text{BTBP}}}} $  = (1.7 ± 0.3) × 10⁹ dm³ mol^?1 s^?1. Reactions of the ligands with benzophenone ketyl radicals are much slower and the measured rate constants were as follows: $ k_{{{\text{CyMe}}_{ 4} {\text{BTP}}}} $  = 6.7 × 10⁷ dm³ mol^?1 s^?1 and $ k_{{{\text{CyMe}}_{ 4} {\text{BTBP}}}} $  = 3.2 × 10⁷ dm³ mol^?1 s^?1.     

Physicochemical properties and theoretical modeling of actinide complexes with a para-tert-Butylcalix[6]arene bearing phosphinoyl pendants. Extraction capability of the calixarene toward f elements

The coordination ability of the hexaphosphinoylated p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene B6bL6 toward actinides is established, as well as its good separation ability of the actinide ions UO2 2+ and Th(IV) over trivalent rare earths such as La(III), Eu(III), and Y(III). Spectrophotometric titration of uranyl with B6bL6 in CH 3CN yields log beta 11 = 7.1 and log beta 12 = 12.5 for the 1:1 and 1:2 (UO2 2+/B 6bL6) species, respectively. Actinide complexes with 1:1 and 1:2 (M/L) stoichiometries are isolated and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, and UV-vis. Compounds 1 and 3 fulfill their CN = 8 just with B 6bL (6), while compounds 2 and 4 require coordinated nitrates and/or water molecules. The luminescence spectra of the uranyl complexes and the parameters such as FWMH, vibronic spacing (upsilon sp), and the U-O bond length, as well as the luminescence lifetimes, permit the understanding of the coordination chemistry of these actinide calixarene complexes. Energy transfer from the B6bL6 ligand to the uranyl ion is demonstrated to be relevant in compound 1 with Q abs = 2.0%. The uranyl complex emission reveals a biexponential decay with tau s from 210 to 220 micros and tau L from 490 to 650 micros for compounds 1 and 3, respectively. The liquid-liquid extraction results demonstrate the good extraction capability of B 6bL (6) toward actinides but not for rare earths at room temperature. The extracted species keeps the 1(cation)/1(calixarene) ratio for the UO2 2+, Th 4+, and Eu 3+ ions. A good capacity of B6bL 6 toward Th4+ ions using aqueous phase 2 containing even up to 0.3 M thorium nitrate and an organic phase of 2.47 x 10 (-4) M B6bL6 in chloroform is found. The spectroscopic properties of the isolated uranyl complexes and the extraction studies reveal a uranophilic nature of B6bL6. The molecular modeling results are in good agreement with the experimental findings.     

A reinterpretation of C5-BTBP extraction data, performed in various alcohols

The separation of trivalent actinides from trivalent lanthanides present in used nuclear fuel can be achieved by using solvent extraction and the BTBP class of ligands. This separation is relevant for the advanced reprocessing of the used fuel. The choice of diluents in such BTBP based systems has shown to affect the extraction as well as the separation. Long chained alcohols have previously been investigated as such diluents, showing that the americium extraction is higher into alcohols having shorter chains (hexanol, and heptanol) than in longer chained ones (nonanol and decanol). In this work it is shown that not only the distribution ratio, but also the contact time needed before reaching extraction equilibrium is shorter when using shorter chain length of the alcohol diluent. It is also shown that the rate of extraction can be correlated to the interfacial tension between the diluent and the aqueous phase. A low interfacial tension gives a fast extraction while an extraction system with higher interfacial tension needs a longer time of phase contact in order to reach extraction equilibrium.     

Extraction Experiments after Radiolysis of a Proposed GANEX Solvent-The Effect of Time

In a solvent intended for use within group actinide extraction CyMe4-BTBP and TBP are combined together in cyclohexanone. After irradiating the solvent in acid contact a latency period before extraction reduced the extraction capability of plutonium. This reduction was larger when the solvent was kept in contact with the acid after irradiation. The decrease in plutonium extraction could be an effect of both a reduced extraction performance of CyMe4-BTBP caused by hydrolysis as well as a shift in oxidation state of the plutonium as it was shown that oxidizing Pu(IV) to Pu(VI) decreased the extraction by the solvent.     

Application of extraction chromatography to the separation of thorium and uranium dissolved in a solution of high salt concentration

Extraction chromatography with commercially available UTEVA resin (for uranium and tetravalent actinide) was applied for the separation of Th and U from control solutions prepared from a multi-element control solution and from sample solutions of solidified simulated waste. Thorium and U in control solutions with 1-5mol/dm(3) HNO(3) were extracted with UTEVA resin and recovered with a solution containing 0.1mol/dm(3) HNO(3) and 0.05mol/dm(3) oxalic acid to be separated from the other metallic elements. Extraction behavior of U in the sample solutions was similar to that in the control solutions, but extraction of Th was dependent on the concentration of HNO(3). Thorium was extracted from 5mol/dm(3) HNO(3) sample solutions but not from 1mol/dm(3) HNO(3) sample solutions. We conjecture that thorium fluoride formation interferes with extraction of Th. Addition of Al(NO(3))(3) and Fe(NO(3))(3), which have higher stability constant with fluoride ion than Th, does improve extractability of Th from 1mol/dm(3) HNO(3) sample solution.     

Homogeneous liquid-liquid extraction method for the selective spectrofluorimetric determination of trace amounts of tryptophan

Twenty-one amino acids were derivatized with fluorescamine (FLA) under basic conditions (pH 9) and the extraction of the amino acid-FLA derivatives was investigated using a homogeneous liquid-liquid extraction with perfluorooctanoic acid (HPFOA) based on phase separation under strongly acidic conditions. Under the optimum concentration conditions for the reagents ([PFOA]T = 3 x 10(-3) mol dm-3, [acetone]T = 3 vol.%, [HCl]T = 1.8 mol dm-3), the concentration factor was approximately 1000-fold (i.e., 30 microliters of the sedimented liquid phase was produced from 33 ml of the homogeneous aqueous solution). The percentage extraction (E) was determined for the 21 amino acid-FLA derivatives; the value for the tryptophan (Trp)-FLA derivative was 80.9%, whereas the other derivatives were not almost extracted (E < 0.4%). The Trp-FLA derivative was selective for the extraction using the homogeneous liquid-liquid extraction method with HPFOA. After the sedimented liquid phase containing Trp-FLA has been placed on a polytetrafluoroethylene filter-paper, the fluorescence intensity was determined using a spectrofluorimeter with filter-paper as the solid-sample holder. The calibration graph of Trp was linear over the range 1.0 x 10(-8)-1.5 x 10(-6) mol dm-3. The relative standard deviation for the central value of the calibration graph was 4.5% (five determinations) and the detection limit (S/N = 3) was 8.9 x 10(-9) mol dm-3. When the proposed method was applied to the highly sensitive spectrofluorimetric determination of Trp in animalin-L syrup, the results were satisfactory.     

Homogeneous liquid-liquid extraction of uranium(VI) using tri-n-octylphosphine oxide.

A simple and efficient method for the selective separation and preconcentration of uranium(VI) using homogeneous liquid-liquid extraction was developed. Tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) and tri-n-butylphosphate (TBP) were investigated as complexing ligands, and perfluorooctanoate ion (PFOA-) was applied as a phase separator agent under strongly acidic conditions. Under the optimal conditions ([PFOA-] = 1.7 x 10(-3) M, [TOPO] = 5.4 x 10(-4) M, [HNO3] = 0.3 M, [acetone] = 3.2% v/v) 10 microg of uranium in 40 ml aqueous phase could be extracted quantitatively into 8 microl of the sedimented phase. The maximum concentration factor was 5000-fold. However, an effort for the quantitative extraction using TBP was inefficient and the percent recovery was at most 56.7. The influence of the type and concentration of acid solution, optimum amount of the ligand, type and volume of the organic solvent, concentration of PFOA, volume of the aqueous sample and effect of different diverse ions on the extraction and determination of uranium(VI) were investigated. The proposed method was applied to the extraction and determination of uranium(VI) in natural water samples.     

High-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry and diode array detection in the identification and quantification of the degradation products of calix[4]arene crown-6 under radiolysis

The extraction of 135Cs from high-activity liquid waste, arising from reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel, can be achieved by using calix[4]arene crown-6 compounds. The radiolytic degradation of di(n-octyloxy)calix[4]arene crown-6 (octMC6), in aliphatic or aromatic solvent in contact with 3 M nitric acid, was studied by high-performance liquid chromatography directly coupled to electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS). More than 50 distinct degradation products were observed, and about 30 of these were identified. These compounds can be assigned to three categories, namely, products of reactions involving radical cleavage or addition, of oxidation reactions, or of aromatic substitution reactions. The major product, corresponding to substitution by an NO2 group, was quantified by external standard calibration using a purified synthetic sample. Despite the observation of all these degradation compounds, octMC6 appears to be remarkably stable under these drastic conditions, combining hydrolysis (HNO(3) 3 M) and an extreme exposure to radiolysis (10(6) Gy). Less than 35% degradation of octMC6 was observed in aromatic solvent under these conditions.     

杯芳烃衍生物液－液萃取和液膜传输银的对比研究及机理探讨

以4类含硫、硒、氮等杂原子基团二取代的杯[4]芳烃五衍生物（1－14）为中 性载体，在H2O-CHCl3-苦味酸体系萃取银和H2O-CHCl3-H2O液膜体系中传输银进行 了对比研究。萃取和传输结果具有一致性，除了苯并噻唑取代的杯[4]芳烃衍生物 （3－6）外，其它10个含硫、硒、氮的杯[4]芳烃衍生物1－14均对软重金属银和汞 有很高的选择性，而吡啶取代的杯[4]芳烃衍生物7－10对铅有一定的萃取选择性， 其中羟基硫醚取代的杯[4]芳烃衍生物11－14对银的萃取率和传输速率最大。并且 就杯[4]芳烃衍生物对银的传输机理进行了探讨，发现传输速率随源相中金属离子 浓度和有机相中载体浓度的增加而增大，因此推论这是由金属离子浓度梯度推动下 的传输。     

Separation of Curium-Californium by Extraction Chromatography

Sequential separation of the trivalent actinides Cm and Cf is investigated by extraction chromatography using the system Alamine 336-LiCl on the diatomaceous earth, Celite 360. The effect of the mobile phase concentration and the acidity on the distribution behaviour of both elements is found almost to parallel that based on simple liquid-liquid extraction. Optimum resolution and efficient decontamination is readily achieved by 11 M LiCl in 0.02 M HC1. The possible use of the same system for the decontamination of the +3 actinides from various foreign ions is also pointed out.     

Scalar Relativistic Density Functional Theoretical Investigation of Higher Complexation Ability of Substituted 1,10‐Phenanthroline over Bipyridine Towards Am3+/Eu3+ Ions

The better selectivity of Am³⁺ over Eu³⁺ ion with N‐based CyMe4‐BTPhen compared to CyMe4‐BTBP for experimentally observed [ML₂(NO₃)]²⁺ complexes was demonstrated using scalar relativistic DFT in conjunction with Born‐Haber thermodynamic cycle and COSMO solvation model. The calculated free energy of extraction, ΔG_ext reveals strong dependence on the hydration free energies of Am³⁺ and Eu³⁺ ions and week dependence to the difference in Gibbs free energy of solvation of the ligand or metal‐ligand complexes. Further, for the first time, we have computed the effect of co‐anion species ([M(NO₃)₅]^2–) on ΔG_ext of Am³⁺ and Eu³⁺ ions with CyMe4‐BTPhen and CyMe4‐BTBP, which adds a positive contribution and thus reduces the ΔG_ext. The calculated values of ΔΔΔG_ext (= ΔΔG_ext,L1 – ΔΔG_ext,L2, ΔΔG_ext = ΔG_ext,M1 – ΔG_ext,M2) can be used to avoid the very sensitive metal ion solvation energy, effect of co‐anionic species and thus provides a robust approach to determine the selectivity between two metal ions towards different competitive ligands. The natural population analysis (NPA), molecular orbital analysis, Mayer bond order analysis, and bond character analysis using Bader's quantum theory of atoms in molecules indicates slightly more covalency for complexes of Am³⁺ ion that are correlated to the experiental selectvity of Am³⁺ ion over Eu³⁺ ion and hence might be useful in the design and development of next generation extractants.     

Pesticide analysis by MEKC on a microchip with hydrodynamic injection from organic extract

An integrated microchip for monitoring carbamate pesticides in environmental water using continuous flow chemical processes is under development, i. e., the integration of hydrolysis, azo-derivatization, liquid-liquid extraction, electrophoretic separation, and quantification. The separation of the derivatives of four carbamate pesticides (carbaryl, carbofuran, propoxur, and bendiocarb) extracted in the continuous flow of a 1-butanol phase was studied in a silica microchip using micellar EKC. A baseline separation of four pesticide derivatives was achieved on a silica chip using hydrodynamic injection with electroosmotic gating. Detection using a thermal lens microscope showed good linearity in the concentration range of 10(-6 )-10(-5 )M with an LOD of 5 x 10(-7) M, which is superior to that of conventional CE with UV absorption detection at a level of 10(-4) M.     

Counter current extraction separation of rare earth traces

The discontinuous counter current extraction separation of radioactive traces of rare earth elements from each other was successfully performed by using a 96 stage automatic microscale counter current apparatus. Choice of the optimum composition of the aqueous phase (var. HNO₃ conc.) and organic phase [di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (HDEHP) in toluene] was made on the basis of the results of liquid-liquid extraction measurements. Providing sufficient content of HDEHP in the organic phase, the presence of macroamounts of uranium(VI) did not interfere with the individual separation of rare earth traces. Consequently, uranium was retained in the organic phase, while separated rare earth traces were redistributed into the aqueous phase. The methods of liquid-liquid extraction and extraction chromatography based on the use of HDEHP were compared. The present results confirm that the liquid-liquid extraction has the advantage to be selective for the separation of rare earth traces from each other and from the macroamount of uranium(VI).     

Sequential separation of actinides and lanthanides by extraction chromatography using a CMPO-TBP/XAD7 column

CMPO/TBP sorbed on Amberlite XAD7 resin was used for the separation of actinides and lanthanides from nitric acid solutions by extraction chromatography. The distribution ratios of actinides and lanthanide fission products (Ce, Eu) as a function of acid concentration and some complexing agents were determined. In strong HNO₃ medium (>1 mol/l) the tri-, tetra- and hexavalent actinides as well as the lanthanides have shown great affinity for the CMPO/TBP/XAD7 sorbent. The same behavior was found in HCl medium except for trivalent actinides and lanthanides which show lower distribution values in the same acid range. The effect of some complexing agents as DTPA and ammonium oxalate were also investigated. In DTPA only hexavalent actinides showed higher distribution value. On the basis of these differences, an alternative procedure for actinide-lanthanide separation and actinides from each other is proposed.