Extraction of actinides and fission products from salt solutions using polyethylene glycols (PEGs)

The extraction behavior of several metal ions viz., Am³⁺, Eu³⁺, UO₂ ²⁺, Th⁴⁺, Sr²⁺ and Cs⁺ was investigated from sulphate medium employing phosphotungstic acid (PTA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG). The influence of various parameters such as pH, PTA concentration, PEG concentration and salt concentration was studied. The order of extraction followed the trend: Am³⁺>Eu³⁺>>Th⁴⁺>UO₂ ²⁺>Sr²⁺>Cs⁺ which deviate significantly from the reported order with conventional solvents. The relatively poor extraction of UO₂ ²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Cs⁺ was ascribed to their lack of interaction with the phosphotungstate anion. The separation behaviour of Am³⁺ vis-a-vis Eu³⁺ was also investigated under different experimental conditions.     

The unusual extraction behavior of americium(III) and dioxouranium(VI) from picric acid medium using neutral oxodonors II. A thermodynamic study

The role of temperature on the distribution of Am³⁺ and UO₂ ²⁺ was investigated in the extraction systems involving TBP and DOSO as the neutral oxodonors and picrate as the organophilic counter anion. The inner-sphere water molecules and their substitution by the oxodonor molecules appeared to influence the extraction constants of these metal ions. The conditional extraction constants for Am³⁺ were found to be larger (about 3 order of magnitude) than those for UO₂ ²⁺. From the thermodynamics data it appeared that both TBP as well as DOSO bind Am³⁺ ion through outer-sphere coordination. In presence of 1M NaCl, though the interaction with TBP remains unaltered DOSO tend to form an inner-sphere complex. On the other hand, UO₂ ²⁺ forms inner-sphere complexes with DOSO and outer-sphere complex with TBP in the absence of salt. In the presence of 1M NaCl, both TBP and DOSO form inner-sphere complexes. The effect of ionic strength on metal ion extraction was also investigated. For Part I see Ref. 9.     

Kinetic study on the transfer mechanism of uranyl(VI) ions using N,N,N',N'-tetrabutyladipicamide from nitric acid media

By using stirred-cell method as experimental technique, the kinetictransfer mechanism of UO₂ ²⁺+ with N,N,N',N'-tetrabutyladipicamide(TBAA) from nitric acid solutions into toluene was studied. The differentconditions effecting the extraction rate constants (k'_f and k'_b ) were investigated, such as UO₂ ²⁺ concentration,HNO₃ concentration, TBAA concentration, temperature and agitationspeed. It was found that the extraction process was controlled by the diffusionof UO₂ (NO₃ )₂ . 2TBAA from the liquid-liquidsurface into the organic phase in the range of the experimental concentrationof HNO₃. The extraction rate was found to be of pseudo-first orderwith respect to the concentration of uranium(VI).     

Extraction of U(VI) and Th(IV) from nitric acid medium using tri(butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBEP) in <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-paraffin

Extraction behavior of U(VI) and Th(IV) from nitric acid medium is investigated using organo-phosphorous extractant, tri(butoxyethyl) phosphate in n-paraffin at room temperature (27 ± 1 °C). The effect of diluents, nitric acid concentration as well as extractant concentration on extraction of U(VI) and Th(IV) are evaluated. Extraction of U(VI) and Th(IV) from nitric acid medium proceeds via solvation mechanism. Slope analysis technique showed the formation of neutral complexes of the type of UO₂(NO₃)₂·2TBEP and Th(NO₃)₄·3TBEP with U(VI) and Th(IV) respectively in the organic phase. The FTIR data showed shifting of P=O stretching frequency from 1,282 to 1,217 cm⁻¹ indicating the strong complexation of P=O group with UO₂ ²⁺ ions in the organic phase. Effect of stripping agents, other metal ions and their separation with respect to U(VI) extraction has also been investigated.     

Liquid-liquid extraction of uranium(VI) with 2-ethylhexyltolylsulfoxide (EHTSO)

The liquid-liquid extraction behavior of 2-ethylhexyltolylsulfoxide (EHTSO) towards uranium(VI) contained in nitric acid aqueous solution has been investigated. It was found that the extraction increases with increasing nitric acid concentration up to 5.0 mol/l and then decreases. Extraction also increases with increasing extractant concentration. The extracted species appears to be UO₂(NO₃)₂ ^.2EHTSO. The influences of temperature, NH₄NO₃ and Na₂C₂O₄ concentrations on the extraction equilibrium were also investigated and the thermodynamic functions of the extraction reaction were obtained.     

Extraction of Americium(III) and Europium(III) with Two Open-Chain Crown Ethers of Amide Type

The extraction of Am³⁺ and Eu³⁺ from aqueous picric acid solution by N, N-dinaphthyl-N, N-diphenyl-3,6-dioxaoctanediamide (L^I) and 1, 1-(3, 6, 9-trioxaundecanedionyl)diphenothiazine (L^II) was investigated by a radioactive tracer technique. Extraction distribution ratios of Am³⁺ and Eu³⁺ have been measured as a function of pH, picric acid concentration, extractant concentration, diluent and temperature. The extraction of Am³⁺ is preferred to that of Eu³⁺ for both L^I and L^II, and the latter gives larger separation factor than the former. The equilibrium constants and thermodynamic parameters of extraction reactions were also calculated.     

Tremendous impact of substituent group on the extraction and selectivity to Am(III) over Eu(III) by diaryldithiophosphinic acids: experimental and DFT analysis

Comparative extraction of Am³⁺ over Eu³⁺ from nitric acid media by three dithiophosphinic acids (L) bearing different substituent aryl groups was studied. Within the experimental pH range, the distribution ratio of Am³⁺ and Eu³⁺ increases with the increase of pH due to deprotonation of the acidic extractant. Both the extraction and separation ability toward Am³⁺/Eu³⁺ by these extractants were affected drastically by the substituent aryl groups. The bis-phenyl substituted extractant shows almost no ability to extract and separate Am³⁺ from Eu³⁺, while bis(ortho-trifluoromethylphenyl) dithiophosphinic acid has the optimum extraction and separation capabilities. To help reveal the complexation and extraction behavior, the structure and bonding characters of neutral ML₃ (M?=?Am or Eu) complexes as well as the biphasic extraction reaction were studied by density functional theory (DFT). The conduct-like screening model implicit solvation model was used to simulate the extraction reaction in the aqueous-toluene biphasic system. The calculated sequence of the Gibbs free energy difference of extraction (ΔΔG ^Am/Eu_ext ) is consistent with the experimental results.

     

Extraction of uranium(VI) by bis(hexylsulfinyl)methane

The extraction of uranium(VI) with bis(hexylsulfinyl)methane (BHxSM) from nitric acid aqueous solution has been investigated. It was found that the extraction increased with increasing nitric acid concentration up 8.5 mol/l and then decreased. Extraction distribution ratio also increased with the bis(hexylsulfinyl)methane concentration. The extraction species appear to be UO₂(NO₃)₂ ^.2BHxSM. The influences of temperature, salting-out concentration and oxalate concentration on the extraction equilibrium were also investigated, and the enthalpy of the extraction reaction was obtained. The result shows that the reaction of uranium(VI) extraction with BHxSM is an exothermic one.     

The Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban-Treaty and the radiological risk to on-site inspection teams

The solvent extraction behavior of thorium traces from the hydrochloric acid media with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoyl-5-pyrazolone (PMBP) is described using ²³⁴Th as a tracer. The influence of certain variables such as extractant concentration, acidity, equilibrium time as well as UO₂ ²⁺ ions on the extraction of thorium has been investigated systematically. The back-extraction behavior of thorium from the organic phase has also been tested. The results reveal that the percent extraction of ²³⁴Th decreases with increasing hydrochloric acid concentration and thorium is easily back-extracted with an 4-6 mol/l aqueous HCl solution. At the same time, the effect of thorium extraction with PMBP was tested employing radioisotopes as multi-tracers in the irradiation of natural uranium with 14-15 MeV neutrons. The results show that thorium can be completely separated from a large amount of uranium and most of the other main reaction products.     

Liquid-liquid extraction of uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) by two open-chain crown ethers with terminal quinolyl groups in chloroform

Two open-chain crown ethers 2,2'-(ethylenedioxy)bis[(8-quinolyloxymethyl)benzene], (L1), and 2,2'-(ethylenedioxy)bis[(8-quinaldyloxymethyl)benzene], (L2) have been prepared and characterized by using elemental analysis, IR spectra, ¹H NMR spectra and positive-ion FAB mass spectra. The extraction of UO₂ ²⁺ and Th⁴⁺ by both open-chain crown ethers, L1 and L2 in chloroform as a diluent was studied at 25 °C. Extraction distribution ratios (D) of UO₂ ²⁺ and Th⁴⁺ were investigated as a function of pH, lithium picrate concentration, and extractant concentration. Based on the expertimental results, it was found that 1 : 1 complexes were formed involving either UO₂ ²⁺ or Th⁴⁺ with L1, and Th⁴⁺ with L2. The extractability of L1 for Th⁴⁺ is significantly higher than that for UO₂ ²⁺, the extractabilities of L1 and L2 for Th⁴⁺ being almost identical. L1 and L2 used here are not feasible for industry because of their relatively low extractabilities for Th⁴⁺ at pH<2.0 and for UO₂ ²⁺ at the extraction conditions used in this work.     

CMPO/[Cnmim][NTf2]体系对Eu3+和UO22+的萃取行为

讨论了辛基(苯基)-N,N-二异丁基胺甲酰基甲基氧化膦(CMPO)/1-烷基-3-甲基咪唑双(三氟甲烷磺酰)亚胺盐([C_nmim][NTf₂],n=2,8,12)萃取体系分别对硝酸溶液中的铕离子(Eu³⁺)和铀酰根离子(UO₂²⁺)的萃取行为。主要研究了硝酸浓度、接触时间、温度、CMPO浓度对CMPO/[C_nmim][NTf₂]体系萃取性能的影响,并选取CMPO/[C2mim][NTf₂]体系对模拟高放废液中的镧锕元素进行了萃取分离。结果表明:随着离子液体侧链长度增长,萃取平衡时间逐渐延长;CMPO/[C2mim][NTf₂]体系对Eu³⁺的萃取是放热反应,萃取率随酸度增加而逐渐降低,对UO₂²⁺则是吸热反应,萃取率随酸度增加而逐渐升高;通过机理研究,推测出对Eu³⁺的萃取反应是离子交换,而对UO₂²⁺的萃取反应则是中性配位;CMPO/[C2mim][NTf₂]体系能有效的萃取模拟高放废液中的镧系、锕系元素,且在高酸下有一定的镧锕分离效果。     

Complexation between uranyl(VI) and CMPO in a hydroxyl-functionalized ionic liquid: An extraction,spectrophotography, and calorimetry study

The extraction complexes of uranyl(VI) in HNO₃ to a hydroxyl-functionalized ionic liquid (IL) phase, HOEtmimNTf₂ bearing CMPO, were investigated. Three possibly successive extraction complexes, UO₂L²⁺ (L = CMPO), UO₂L₂²⁺ and UO₂L₃²⁺, were detected based on variable U/L ratios. Uranyl(VI) prefers to be extracted as complex UO₂L₃²⁺, combining with the ions from HOEtmimNTf₂ to construct a solid material through self-assembly. The thermodynamics of complexes, UO₂L_j²⁺ (j = 1-3), were studied by spectrophotometry and microcalorimetry. All the formation reactions are principally driven by entropy, although a small part of the driving force of complexes UO₂L₂²⁺ and UO₂L₃²⁺ comes from enthalpy. Based on the thermodynamic properties for complex UO₂L₃²⁺, we provide a possible coordination mode in HOEtmimNTf₂: the first CMPO molecule coordinates with UO₂²⁺ in a bidentate fashion while the others do in a monodentate fashion. The results offer a thermodynamic insight into the formation behaviors of the uranyl(VI)/CMPO complexes involving the special IL HOEtmimNTf₂, which is of significance to advance the novel IL extraction strategy.     

Liquid-liquid extraction of uranium(VI) from aqueous acidic solutions using Alamine, TBP and CYANEX systems

Liquid-liquid extraction of uranium(VI) (UO₂ ²⁺) from aqueous acidic (HCl and HNO₃) solutions into a co-existing organic phase containing Alamine 308 (triisooctyl amine), TBP (tri-n-butyl phosphate) or CYANEX 302 (bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) monothiophosphinic acid) and diluent (toluene) was studied at isothermal conditions (298.2 K) at aqueous phase acidity varying in the range 0.5-6 mol/dm³. All solvent systems exhibit a maximum distribution ratio restricted in the acidity range 3-4 mol/dm³. An obvious difference in extraction behavior through amine system has been observed for two acids, HCl and HNO₃, distinguishing the divergent interactions attributed to the different mechanism of complexation depending on the acidic medium. The high degree of separation of UO₂ ²⁺ from HNO₃ solution is feasible through a complex formation with extractants ranging in the order CYANEX 302 > TBP > Alamine 308. The results were correlated using various versions of the mass action law, i.e., a chemodel approach and a modified version of the Langmuir equilibrium model comprising the formation of one or at least two U(VI)-extractant aggregated structures.     

Selective transport of copper(II) ions across a liquid membrane mediated by Piroxicam

Piroxicam was found to be a highly selective carrier for uphill transport of Cu²⁺ ions through a chloroform liquid membrane. The transport occurs via a counterflow of protons from the receiving phase to the source phase. The effects of several parameters on the transport of Cu²⁺ ions, such as the carrier concentration, pH of the source phase, composition of the receiving phase, and duration are described. A high transport efficiency (98±2%) was provided by the carrier for Cu²⁺ ions in a receiving phase of 0.01 mol l⁻¹ sulfuric acid after 4 h. Different metal ion transport experiments showed that Cu²⁺ ions were selectively transported over other ions, such as Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, UO₂²⁺ and ZrO₂²⁺. In the presence of fluoride ions (used as a suitable masking agent in the source phase), the interfering effects of UO₂²⁺ and ZrO₂²⁺ ions were eliminated. The applicability of the method was tested on a real sample, and the results obtained show that it is potentially useful for solvent extraction of copper.     

Nd3+ and Am3+ ion interactions with sulfate ion and their influence on NdPO4(c) solubility

The effects of Nd(III)/Am(III) complexation with sulfate were studied by 1) re-examining existing data for the Am–SO₄ system using more, advanced aqueous electrolyte models valid to high concentration to obtain reliable thermodynamic data for SO ₄ ^2– complexes or ion interactions with Nd³⁺ and Am³⁺ and 2) conducting experimental solubility studies of NdPO₄(c), an analog phase of AmPO ₄ (c), a possibly important phase in high level nuclear wastes, in the presence of SO ₄ ^2– to test the newly developed thermodynamic model and show the possible influence of sulfate in a repository environment. The data showed that the increase in the solubility of NdPO ₄ (c) resulted primarily from the increase in ionic strength. Slightly higher observed Nd concentrations in the presence of sulfate, as compared with concentrations predicted at the experimental ionic strengths, resulted from the weak complexes or ion interactions involving Nd ³⁺ –SO ₄ ^2– . The Pitzer ion interaction parameters, applicable to 0.5m sulfate, were obtained for Am ³⁺ –SO ₄ ^2– from a reinterpretation of known solvent extraction data. These parameters are also consistent with literature data for Am ³⁺ /Na⁺ exchange and solvent extraction in the presence of sulfate. When used for the analogous Nd ³⁺ –SO ₄ ^2– system to predict NdPO ₄ (c) solubility in the presence of sulfate, they provided excellent agreement between the predicted and the observed solubilities, indicating that they can be reliably used to determine Nd ³⁺ or Am ³⁺ ion interactions with SO ₄ ^2– in all ground waters where SO ₄ ^2– is less than 0.5m     

Kinetics of uranium(VI) extraction by bis(octylsulfinyl)methane

The kinetics and mechanism of uranium(VI) extraction from nitric acid solution by bis(octylsulfinyl)methane (BOSM) are studied with the method of stationary interface cell. The effects of temperature, extractant and nitric acid concentrations are discussed. The results showed that the extraction process is controlled by the following reaction: UO₂(NO₃)₂ + BOSM_(i)⇄_k1 ^k-1UO₂(NO₃)₂BOSM_(i). The variation of enthalpy associated with the extraction is -22.1±2.1 kJ/mol. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Complex formation of peroxouranyl (and uranyl) with polyaminocarboxylate ligands

Complexation of the uranyl ion (UO₂²⁺) and of the peroxouranyl species (UO₄) by some polyaminocarboxylate ligands has been investigated in solution (3M NaClO₄) at 25°C. The logarithms of the cumulative formation constants of the UO₂²⁺ chelates formed are: UO₂edta^2? (15.65), UO₂Hedta^? (18.59), (UO₂)₂edta (20.24); UO₂edda (16.02); UO₂Hnta (12.19); UO₂ida (9.63), UO₂H₂(ida)₂ (23.80). The equilibrium UO₂²⁺ + H₂O₂ ? UO₄ + 2H⁺ has a stability log K = ?3.99. The peroxocomplexes formed are UO₄Hedda^? (14.81, expressed from UO₂²⁺ and H₂O₂) and UO₄Hnta^2? (8.50). Solution structures of the chelates are proposed.     

Microdetermination of uranium (VI)

Summary A new method has been evolved for the separation and estimation of UO₂ ²⁺ from Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ag⁺, Pb²⁺, Ga³⁺, In³⁺, Tl³⁺, La³⁺, Ti⁴⁺, Zr⁴⁺ and Th⁴⁺ with the sodium salt of benzilic acid as precipitating and chelating agent andn-butanol as solvent for solvent extraction. All these cations except UO₂ ²⁺ are precipitated by benzilic acid; UO₂ ²⁺ forms a deep yellow complex extractable byn-butanol. The uranium can be determined in the organic phase spectrophotometrically at 430 nm. The pH range over which the separation can be carried out is 2.6–4.0. Few anions and cations interfere.

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Zusammenfassung Eine neue Methode der Trennung und Bestimmung von UO₂ ²⁺ neben Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ag⁺, Pb²⁺, Ga³⁺, In³⁺, Tl²⁺, La³⁺, Ti⁴⁺, Zr⁴⁺ und Th⁴⁺ wurde ausgearbeitet. Das Natriumsalz der Benzilsäure dient als Färbungs- und Komplexbildungsmittel und n-Butanol zur Extraktion. Alle angeführten Kationen mit Ausnahme von UO₂ ²⁺ werden von Benzilsäure gefällt; UO^{2 2+} bildet einen tiefgelben, mit n-Butanol extrahierbaren Komplex und kann in der organischen Phase spektrophotometrisch bei 430 nm bestimmt werden. Die Trennung kann bei pH 2,6 bis 4,0 durchgeführt werden. Nur wenige Anionen und Kationen stören.

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Résumé On développe une nouvelle méthode pour la séparation et l'évaluation de UO₂ ²⁺ dans Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ag⁺, Pb²⁺, Ga³⁺, In³⁺, Tl³⁺, La³⁺, Ti⁴⁺, Zr⁴⁺ et Th⁴⁺, par le sel de sodium de l'acide benzilique comme agent précipitant et chélatant et le N-butanol comme solvant pour l'extraction par solvant. Tous ces cations, sauf UO₂ ²⁺, précipitent par l'acide benzilique; UO₂ ²⁺ forme un complexe jaune intense que l'on peut extraire par le N-butanol. On peut doser l'uranium en phase organique par spectrophotométrie à 430 nm. La séparation peut s'effectuer dans le domaine de pH de 2,6 à 4,0. Peu d'anions et de cations interfèrent.

     

U(VI) mono-hydroxo humate complexation

The complexation of the uranyl ion with humic acid is investigated. The humic acid ligand concentration is described as the concentration of reactive humic acid molecules based on the number of humic acid molecules, taking protonation of functional groups into account. Excess amounts of U(VI) are used and the concentration of the humic acid complex is determined by the solubility enhancement over the solid phase. pH is varied between 7.5 to 7.9 in 0.1M NaClO₄ under normal atmosphere and room temperature. The solubility of U(VI) in absence of humic acid is determined over amorphous solid phase between pH 4.45 and 8.62. With humic acid, only a limited range of data can be used for the determination of the complexation constant because of flocculation or sorption of the humic acid upon progressive complexation. Analysis of the complex formation dependency with pH shows that the dominant uranyl species in the concerned pH range are UO₂(OH)⁺ and (UO₂)₃(OH)₅ ⁺. The complexation constant is evaluated for the humate interaction with the to UO₂(OH)⁺ ion. The stability constant is found to be logβ = 6.94±0.3 l/mol. The humate complexation constant of the uranyl mono-hydroxo species thus is significantly higher than that of the nonhydrolyzed uranyl ion (6.2 l/mol). Published data on the Cm³⁺, CmOH²⁺ and Cm(OH)₂ ⁺ humate complexation are reevaluated by the present approach. The higher stability of the hydrolysis complex is also found for Cm(III) humate complexation.     

Sorption of uranyl ions on silica: Effects of contact time, pH, ionic strength, concentration and phosphate

The sorption of UO₂ ²⁺ and phosphate on silica were simultaneously studied. The effect of contact time between the solid phase and aqueous solution, pH and ionic strength on the UO₂ ²⁺ sorption in the absence and the presence of phosphate was investigated. The effect of contact time between the solid phase and aqueous solution, pH and ionic strength on the phosphate sorption was investigated too. The isotherms of UO₂ ²⁺ and phosphate sorption at different pH values were determined. It was found that as compared with the sorption in the absence of phosphate, the sorption of UO₂ ²⁺ on silica in the presence of phosphate is increased at low pH and decreased at high pH; the abruptly increased with increasing pH in the pH range 3-6; the sorption is gradually decreased with increasing pH in the pH range 2-12; the sorption insensitive and the sorption of phosphate is sensitive to ionic strength.