Photoluminescence of aqueous solutions of uranyl nitrate containing sodium tetrametaphosphate

Solutions (10^–5 to 5×10^–2 M) of UO₂(NO₃)₂ have been used in the presence of 2 wt.% Na₄P₄O₁₂, with excitation by a mercury arc over the range 3200–3800 Å. The emission and absorption spectra of the complex are reported; the first is narrow and has peaks at 4910, 5150, and 5400 Å. This spectrum is the same whether the tetrametaphosphate anion has the chair configuration or the boat one.