Polarographic waves of tri-n-butyl phosphate and polarographic determination of uranium in the presence of tri-n-butyl phosphate

The results of a study on the polarographic behaviour of TBP and its influence on the determination of uranyl ions is presented. The half-wave potential of the adsorption wave of TBP depends on the concentration of TBP, type of supporting elec trolyte and its concentration. In the presence of TBP the polarographic wave of U(VI) ion is changed. Below 7·10^?5 M TBP the polarographic wave of U(VI) is not affected, between 7·10^?5 and 2·10^?4 M TBP the shape, height and half-wave potential of U(VI) waves are changed and above 2·10^?4 M, up to saturated solution of TBP, the waves of U(VI) do, not change further. The bes supporting electrolytes for the determination of U(VI) are KNO₃ or NaClO₄ in concentrations of 0.1 to 0.5 M, pH 1–2 and TBP concentrations from 3·10^?4 to 1.2·10^?3 M.     

Synergistic effect of HBMPPT with PSO, DOSO and TBP on the extraction of U(VI) and on the separation of U(VI) and Th(IV)

Some popular neutral extractants (PSO-petroleum sulfoxide, DOSO-di-n-octyl sulfoxide, TBP-tributylphosphate etc.) were chosen as synergist to study the synergistic effect on the extraction reaction with HBMPPT (4-benzoyl-2,4-dihydro-5-methyl-2-phenyl-3H-pyrazol-3-thione) for U(VI), and the synergistic separation ability of HBMPPT for U(VI) and Th(IV). The synergistic extraction ability shown by the studied systems for U(VI) is as follows: PSO>DOSO>TBP, and the same sequence was also verified for the separation coefficient of U(VI) and Th(IV). The synergistic complexes may be presented as: UO₂NO₃·BMPPT·S and UO₂(BMPPT)₂·S for U(VI) (S is PSO, DOSO or TBP).     

Polarographic Studies of Dithiodiacetic Acid and the Uranyl-Dithiodiacetic Acid Complex

The polarographic behaviour of dithiodiacetic acid and that of U(VI) in a solution containing dithiodiacetic acid as complexing agent have been investigated. For the dithiodiacetic acid system, two waves appear over the pH range studied. The prewave is kinetic in nature and the mainwave is diffusion-controlled. However, as U(VI) is added into the dithiodiacetic acid system, the polarogram changes due to the existence of a complex. The current-potential curve of the first wave is not the normal S shape. This is due to the superposition of the first wave of the ligand and the wave due to the reduction of the U(VI) in the complex to U(V). The second wave is due to the reduction of the complex The first wave is an adsorption-controlled current and the second wave is partly diffusion-controlled and partly adsorption-controlled. We propose an electrode reaction mechanism for both systems and the complex species. The dissociation constant of the complex HASSAUO⁺₂ is found to be of the order of 10^?4.     

Polarographic behaviour of uranium beta-diketonates in chloroform Application of ac polarography to the analysis of uranium minerals

The polarographic behaviour of U(VI) β-diketonates has been studied in chloroform. The conditions for reversible electrochemical reduction of U(VI) acetylacetonate and benzoylacetonate at a dropping mercury electrode was optimized by using a suitable ratio of piperidinium perchlorate and piperidine mixture as supporting electrolyte in chloroform. The one-electron nature of the reduction wave of U(VI) complexes was confirmed by controlled potential coulometry. The ac method preceded by a solvent extraction of U(VI) benzoylacetonate in chloroform was used for the determination of uranium. The calibration curve was linear over the range 0.5–20 μ/ml. The correlation coefficient was 0.9998 and the detection limit was about 0.2 μ/ml. The interference of some concomitant ions were examined and EDTA was used as an effective masking agent to separate uranium from other metals. The proposed method has been applied to the determination of uranium in uranium minerals.     

Polarographic determination of nitrate in concentrated sulphuric acid solutions

The possibility of the polarographic determination of nitrates in the presence of hydroquinone in 65–95% sulphuric acid solutions was investigated. It has been found that nitrates in 95% acid have one polarographic wave without inflection point the height of which is proportional to nitrate concentration. In 85% sulphuric acid and in other acids investigated with lower concentrations, nitrates are not polarographically active. If both nitrate and hydroquinone are present in H₂SO₄, two waves are observed on the polarogram. The more negative wave is completely defined. The height of this wave is proportional to nitrate concentration in the range 5×10^?5?5×10^?3M.     

Polarographische Studien an Uran(VI)-Verbindungen. I

Zusammenfassung Die polarographische Reduktion von Uran(VI) in schwefelsaurer Lösung an der Quecksilbertropfelektrode wurde untersucht und eine square-wave-polarographische Bestimmungsmethode ausgearbeitet, mit der noch 7·10^–7 Mol Uran/l in Gegenwart 20 anderer Metallionen gut reproduzierbar bestimmt werden können.

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Polarographic studies on uranium(vi) compounds, i

Summary The reduction of uranium(VI) in sulphuric acid solutions has been studied polarographically at the dropping mercury electrode and a square wave polarographic method for the determination up to 7·10^–7 M uranium in presence of 20 other metals is described.

     

Sorption and separation of some elements of nuclear importance using Chelex-100

Chelex-100, in the anionic form has been studied for its ability to perform selective separation and concentration of some metal ions of nuclear importance from mineral acid solutions. The sorption behavior of Zr(IV)–Nb(V), Mo(VI), Tc(VII), Te(IV) and U(VI) from solutions of hydrochloric and sulphuric acids on Chelex-100 has been studied under static and dynamic conditions. Mo(VI) and Tc(VII) have been concentrated on the resin from hydrochloric or sulphuric acid solutions at low acidities probably, as the anions MoO ₄ ^2– and TcO ₄ ^– , respectively. Te(IV) has been isolated from hydrochloric acid solutions of normalities 6 in the form of the anionic chloro complex TeCl ₆ ^2– . Optimum conditions for elution and separation of Mo(VI), Tc(VII), Te(IV) and U(VI) were recommended.     

Extraction of uranium(VI) from nitric acid medium by 1.1M tri-n-butylphosphate in ionic liquid diluent

Summary A systematic study on the extraction of U(VI) from nitric acid medium by tri-n-butylphosphate (TBP) dissolved in a non-traditional diluent namely 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (bmimPF₆) ionic liquid (IL) is reported. The results are compared with those obtained using TBP/n-dodecane (DD). The distribution ratio for the extraction of U(VI) from nitric acid by 1.1M TBP/bmimPF₆ increases with increasing nitric acid concentration. The U(VI) distribution ratios are comparable in the nitric acid concentration range of 0.01M to 4M, to the ratios measured using 1.1M TBP/DD. In contrast to the extraction behavior of TBP/DD, the D values continued to increase with the increase in the concentration of nitric acid above 4.0M. The stoichiometry of uranyl solvate extracted by 1.1M TBP/IL is similar to that of TBP/DD system, wherein two molecules of TBP are associated with one molecule of uranyl nitrate in the organic phase. Ionic liquid alone also extracts uranium from nitric acid, albeit to a small extent. The exothermic enthalpy accompanying the extraction of U(VI) in TBP/bmimPF₆ decreases with increasing nitric acid and with TBP concentrations.     

Extraction studies of uranium into a third-phase of thorium nitrate employing tributyl phosphate and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N,N</Emphasis>-dihexyl octanamide as extractants in different diluents

Extraction behavior of 1 × 10⁻²–0.1 M U(VI) from aqueous phases containing 0.86 M Th(IV) at 4 M HNO₃ in 1.1 M tributyl phosphate (TBP) and 1.1 M N,N-dihexyl octanamide (DHOA) solutions in different diluents viz. n-dodecane, 10% 1-octanol + n-dodecane, and decahydronaphthalene (decalin) was studied. Third-phase formation was observed in both the extractants using n-dodecane as diluent. There was a gradual decrease in Th(IV) concentration in the third-phase (heavy organic phase, HOP) with increased aqueous U(VI) concentration [0.71 M (no U(VI))–0.61 M (0.1 M U(VI)) for TBP; 0.27 M (no U(VI))–0.22 M (0.1 M U(VI)) for DHOA]. The HOP volume in case of DHOA was ~2.2 times of that of TBP. Uranium concentration in HOP increased with its initial concentration in the aqueous phase [from 1.8 × 10⁻² M (0.01 M U(VI))–0.162 M (0.1 M U(VI)) for TBP; from 1.4 × 10⁻² M (0.01 M U(VI))–0.14 M (0.1 M U(VI)) for DHOA] suggesting that Th(IV) was being replaced by U(VI). An empirical correlation was developed for predicting the concentrations of uranium and thorium in HOP for both the extractants. No third-phase appeared during the extraction of uranium and thorium from the aqueous phases employing 10% 1-octanol + n-dodecane, or decalin as diluents, and therefore, were better choices as diluent for alleviating the third-phase formation during the reprocessing of spent thorium based fuels, and for the recovery of thorium from high-level waste solutions.     

The investigation of the solvent extraction of molybdenum from concentrated solution of sulphuric acid

The solvent extraction of molybdenum(VI) from sulphuric acid solutions with di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phosphoric acid (HDEHP) and monododecylphosphoric acid (HDDP) in n-heptane has been studied (a) as a function of the concentration of sulphuric acid, molybdenum and the extractant; (b) in the presence of copper and zinc in the aqueous phase and (c) in the presence of tri-n-butylphosphate (TBP) in the organic phase. The distribution of the sulphuric acid between aqueous and organic phase has also been studied.     

Electrochemistry of uranium in sodium chloroaluminate melts

The electrochemical behaviour of uranium has been studied in basic, NaCl-saturated NaAlCl₄ melts at 175°C. Solutions of UO₃ exhibit two oxidation/reduction waves (cyclic voltammetry). The first wave corresponds to the U(VI)/U(IV) redox couple and is irreversible (slow electron transfer). The second wave corresponds to the deposition and stripping of an insoluble U(III) compound (U(IV)/U(III)). Solutions of UO₂ or UCl₄ and U(IV) solutions prepared by exhaustive electrolysis of UO₃ behave identically. The cyclic voltammograms of U(IV) solutions are the same as those of UO₃, but they show additional anodic peaks. Analysis of the peak currents (cyclic voltammetry), the limiting currents (pulse polarography) and the non-linear log i-t curves (anodic controlled potential coulometry) leads to the conclusion that uranium (IV) in the basic chloroaluminate melt exists as two different species in slow equilibrium with one another, of which only one species can be oxidized to U(VI). E.m.f. measurements of U(VI)-U(IV) mixtures indicate that the electron transfer process involves the formation of an intermediate U(V) species in a disproportionation equilibrium.     

Synthesis,characterization, and application of polystyrene adsorbents containing tri-n-butylphosphate for solid-phase extraction of uranium (VI) from aqueous nitrate solutions

Polystyrene adsorbent for solid-phase extraction of U(VI) was developed through in situ copolymerization of styrene and divinylbenzene in the presence of tri-n-butylphosphate and its magnetic form was obtained by addition of fine particles of magnetite in an amount of 15 wt% of the total monomers used. The obtained adsorbents were characterized by means of scanning electron microscope, FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction. The adsorption behavior of U(VI) from aqueous nitrate solutions onto non-magnetic adsorbent RI (St–DVB–TBP) and its magnetic form RII (St–DVB–TBP–Fe₃O₄) at different experimental condition was studied using batch method. The adsorption results were found to fit Langmuir model. The magnetite-containing adsorbent showed higher uptake values relative to the corresponding magnetite-free one. The adsorption of U(VI) onto RI followed pseudo-first order kinetics whereas the adsorption onto RII followed pseudo-second order. Thermodynamic studies revealed that the adsorption process was a spontaneous exothermic reaction. Desorption of the loaded U(VI) was carried out using distilled water and found to be 97 and 93 % for RI and RII, respectively.     

Some studies on synergic extraction of mixed ligand species of uranium(VI)

The extraction of U(VI) by mixtures of HTTA and TBP from aqueous thiocyanate medium has been studied. From the data obtained it was observed that the predominant uranium species extracted, causing synergic enhancement in the extraction of U(VI), is UO₂(SCN)TTA · 2TBP when benzene and cyclohexane are used as diluents, and that at a very low concentration of TBP the contribution of additional species, viz. UO₂(TTA)₂ · TBP becomes significant. With chloroform as diluent, however, both of these species are contributing to the synergic enhancement. The extraction of a quaternary uranium species, UO₂(SCN)TTA · 2TBP, involving the participation of the aqueous anion is thus established. Equilibrium constants for the various extraction equilibria involved are calculated.     

Polarographic Studies on Se(IV) in Absence and Presence of Pb(II), Zn(II) and Sb(III) Ions in Aqueous N-(2-ACETAMIDO) Imino Diacetate Buffer Solutions

Abstract

The polarographic reduction and determination of selenite ions in absence and presence of a mixture of some cationic species such as, Pb(II), Zn(II) and Sb(III) in N-(2-acetamido) imino diacetate solutions, at constants of ionic strength 0.1 mol dm^?3 (KNO₃) and temperature 25°C was studied using direct current and differential pulse polarographic (DPP) techniques. It was shown that reduction of Se(IV) takes place along one, two or three waves depending on the pH value of the solution using the direct current polarographic measurements. The reduction of Se(IV) in N-(2-acetamido) imino diacetate buffer solutions was found to be reversible and involving six electron transfer process. Microcoulometric experiments was performed at the limiting current region of the different waves and at various pH values. Kinetic parameters and wave characteristics for the reduction of selenite ions have been calculated. A method for the analytical determination of selenite ions in either simple or quadruple mixture of ADA buffer solutions using DPP techniques are reported and discussed.     

Counter-current extraction and separation of U(VI) from a mixture of U(VI)–Th(IV)–Y(III) using tris-2-ethyl hexyl phosphate (TEHP)

Evaluation of tris-2-ethyl hexyl phosphate (TEHP) for counter-current extraction and separation of U(VI) from a mixture of U(VI)–Th(IV)–Y(III) from nitric acid medium was carried out under wide experimental conditions. Batch extraction studies were carried out to investigate the effect of nitric acid concentration in feed solution, U(VI)/Th(IV) ratio and extractant concentration and the results were compared with established solvent such as tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) for separation of U(VI) from nitric acid medium. McCabe–Thiele diagrams for extraction as well as stripping of U(VI) were constructed under simulated conditions. Based on batch experiments, six stage counter-current extraction studies were conducted under various TEHP concentration and it was observed that 0.1 M TEHP/n-paraffin was most suitable for selective recovery of U(VI) from a mixture of U(VI)–Th(IV). An optimized condition, 0.1 M TEHP/n-paraffin, 2 M HNO₃ in feed and six number of stages was evaluated for selective extraction and stripping of U(VI) from a solution containing mixture of U(VI)–Th(IV)–Y(III) in nitric acid medium. The U(VI) in strip solution was precipitated using 30 % H₂O₂ at pH ~3. Average particle size of the final precipitate was found to be ~33 μm.     

Thermodynamics of uranium extraction from nitric acid solution by TBP loaded on inert supporting material

Thermodynamic investigation of the extraction of both uranium(VI) and uranium(IV) from nitric acid solutions using tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) loaded on polyacrylic acid polymer (SM-7) as an inert supporting material has been done using batch technique. The effect of temperature on the equilibrium extraction values has been utilized to evaluate the change in standard thermodynamic quantities (viz. DH, DS, and DG). The Freundlich isotherm was successfully applied to the extraction data of both metal ions. The Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm was found to be valid only in case of U(IV) extraction. Based on the D-R expression, the maximum extraction capacity of loaded TBP and the mean free energy of U(IV) extraction have been determined.     

Composition and structure of complexes formed in the reaction of uranyl di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate and tributyl phosphate or di-N-octyl sulfoxide in benzene solutions

This paper reprots of³¹P NMR and IR studies of the interaction of tributyl phosphate (TBP) and di-n-octyl sulfoxide (DOSO) with polymer molecules of uranyl di-2-ethylhexyl phosphate (UO₂X₂)_p (I) in C₆H₆ sulutions. Detailed interpretations of the³¹P NMR spectra and the v_as(POO) IR bands and determination of the fraction of nonequivalent phosphorus atoms of X⁻ anions and uranium (VI) atoms as well as the concentration of U(VI)-bonded TBP in I have shown that only a single TBP or DOSO molecule is coordinated to the uranium atoms of polymer I at C_TBP=0.1–2 M or C_DOSO=0.1–0.5 M. In the case of 100% TBP, two TBP molecules are coordinated to some U(VI) atoms. Distribution of TBP (DOSO) molecules along the polymer chain agrees with the mean statistical value. The portion of terminal chalate POO-groups of X⁻ anions is determined. The dependence of the degree of (UO₂X₂)_p·nL (L=TBP, DOSO) polymerization on C_L is obtained. Saturation of solutions with water only slightly affects the terminal POO-groups and has no effects on the distribution of L along the polymer chain of I. Institute of Catalysis, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences. Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 35, No. 6, pp. 66–73, November–December, 1994. Translated by K. Shaposhnikova     

The polarography of molybdenum,titanium and niobium in solutions of organic acids

Further work on the polarographic reduction of molybdenum(VI), niobium(V) and titanium(IV) in base electrolytes containing organic acids is reported. A base electrolyte of 0.5 M citric acid-0.025 M sulphuric acid-0.05 M thorium nitrate proved suitable for the determination of molybdenum and titanium in the presence of niobium, tantalum, tungsten and zirconium. A direct polarographic method using this base electrolyte is described for the determination of molybdenum in a niobium base alloy.     

Polarographic analytical determination of Hg(II), Cu(II), Cd(II), As(III), Sb(III), Ti(IV) and U(VI) in the presence of Fe(III)

The analytical determination of Hg(II), Cu(II), Cd(II), As(III), Sb(III), Ti(IV) and U(VI) in the presence of Fe(III) and 1 M H₂SO₄ are investigated using the polarographic technique. The wave corresponding to the reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II) was found to be completely suppressed by the addition of 1% pyrogallol. Thus, different mixtures of these elements, viz. Hg(II), Cu(II), Cd(II), As(III) and Fe(III)-mixture (A), Cu(II), Cd(II), Sb(III), As(III) and Fe(III)-mixture (B), and Cu(II), Cd(II), Ti(IV), U(VI) and Fe(III)-mixture (C), were quantitatively determined using 1% pyrogallol and 1 M H₂SO₄ as supporting electrolyte. The i₁/c results give excellent correlations in each case, as indicated from the results of leastsquares regression analysis.     

Synergistic extraction of uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) with mixtures of Cyanex272 and other organophosphorus ligands

The extraction of thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) from nitric acid solutions has been studied using mixtures of bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphinic acid (Cyanex272 or HA), and synergistic extractants (S) such as tri-butylphosphate (TBP), tri-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) or bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)thiophosphinic acid (Cyanex301). The results showed that these metallic ions are extracted into kerosene as Th(OH)₂(NO₃)A·HA and UO₂(NO₃)A·HA with Cyanex272 alone. In the presence of neutral organophosphorus ligands TBP and TOPO, they are found to be extracted as Th(OH)₂(NO₃)A·HA·S and UO₂(NO₃)A·HA·S. On the other hand, Th(IV), U(VI) are extracted as Th(OH)₂(NO₃)A·HA·2S and UO₂(NO₃)A·HA·S in the presence of Cyanex301. The addition of neutral extractants such as TOPO and TBP to the extraction system enhanced the extraction efficiency of both elements while Cyanex301 as an acidic extractant has improved the selectivity between uranium and thorium. The effect of TOPO on the extraction was higher than other extractants. The equilibrium constants of above species have been estimated by non-linear regression method. The extraction amounts were determined and the results were compared with those of TBP. Also, it was found that the binding to the neutral ligands by the thorium–Cyanex272 complexes follows the neutral ligand basicity sequence.