Electrochemistry of Actinides and Selected Fission Products in the Head End of Spent Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing

The data on the uranium metal corrosion rate in the solutions of nitric acid (0,1 – 4 M) and effect of complex forming agents on uranium corrosion properties are presented. The increase of HNO₃ concentration caused the shift of corrosion potential from 38 mV to 446 mV and the increase of the corrosion rate from 0,02 to 0,62 mg.cm^-2h^-1. Transpassivation potential of U metal was found weakly effected by HNO₃ concentration varying from 448 to 470 mV/Ag/AgCl. The addition of HCOOH to the electrolytes containing less than 3 M HNO₃ found to shift the values of corrosion potentials about 500 mV towards negative direction reducing the passivation of U metal. The data on the kinetics of oxidative dissolution of PuO₂ using Ag(II) and Am(VI,V) as mediators and the effect of the mediator generation techniques are discussed. The electrochemical properties of UC in the solutions 2 – 4 M HNO₃, results of the quantitative determination of “oxidizable carbon” in dissolver solutions are presented. The results of corrosion and dissolution studies of Tc metal and Tc - Ru alloys containing from 19 to 70 at.% Ru in 0.5 0– 6 M HNO3 indicate the formation of passive films of Tc(IV) – Ru(III,IV) hydroxides at the electrode surface in the solutions containing less than 2 M HNO₃ at the potentials less than 650 mV/Ag/AgCl. The increase of HNO3 concentration to values exceeding 3 M and the shift of the electrode potential towards positive direction causes the transition of the Tc and Tc-Ru alloys to transpassive state. The values of transpassivation potentials increase with the increasing with HNO₃ concentration. Quantitative dissolution of Tc metal without application of oxidation potential becomes possible in the electrolytes, containing more than 4 M HNO₃. The rate of Tc – Ru alloys dissolution is noticed to slow down with the increase of Ru content in the alloy.     

Dissolution Properties of 3,6-Bis(1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-yl-amino)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine in N-Methyl Pyrrolidone and Dimethyl Sulfoxide

The molar enthalpies of dissolution for 3,6-bis(1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-yl-amino)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine (BTATz) were measured in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) using an RD496-2000 Calvet microcalorimeter at 298.15 K under atmospheric pressure. Empirical formulae for the calculation of the molar enthalpies of dissolution (Δ_diss H), relative partial molar enthalpies (Δ_diss H _partial), and relative apparent molar enthalpies (Δ_diss H _apparent) were obtained from the experimental results of the dissolution processes of BTATz in NMP or DMSO. Furthermore, the corresponding kinetic equations describing the two dissolution processes are dα/dt = 10^?3.55(1 ? α)^0.57 for the dissolution of BTATz in NMP, and dα/dt = 10^?3.74(1 ? α)^0.63 for the dissolution of BTATz in DMSO, respectively.     

Dissolution properties of N-guanylurea dinitramide (GUDN) in dimethyl sulfoxide and N-methyl pyrrolidone

The enthalpies of dissolution of N-guanylurea dinitramide (GUDN) in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) were measured using an RD496-2000 Calvet microcalorimeter at 298.15 K under atmospheric pressure, respectively. Empirical formulae for the calculation of the enthalpy of dissolution (Δ_diss H), relative partial molar enthalpy (Δ_diss H _partial), and relative apparent molar enthalpy (Δ_diss H _apparent) were obtained from the experimental data of the dissolution processes of GUDN in DMSO and NMP. Furthermore, the corresponding kinetic equations describing the two dissolution processes were dα/dt = 10^?3.39(1 ? α)^0.70 for the dissolution of GUDN in DMSO, and dα/dt = 10^?4.06(1 ? α)^1.11 for the dissolution of GUDN in NMP.     

Stability of polyvinylpolypyrrolidone against gamma-ray irradiation in HNO3 media

Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP) is a resin with adsorption selectivity for U(VI) in HNO₃ media. The stability of this resin has been examined against gamma-ray irradiation using HNO₃ solutions of various concentrations. Samples of PVPP immersed in HNO₃ solutions up to 6 mol·dm^?3 (=M) were irradiated by a ⁶⁰Co source at 3.6 kGy·h^?1 to reach 0.90 MGy at room temperature under ambient atmosphere. As a result, no clear decrease in the capacity for U(VI) when added in 3 M HNO₃ was observed for any samples, or rather the capacity was found to increase by approximately 50 % for PVPP irradiated in 6 M HNO₃. It was indicated from some spectroscopic analyses of the irradiated samples that the irradiation causes the cleavage of the pyrrolidone ring of PVPP. This occurs by the addition of an oxygen atom originating from HNO₃, followed by the formation of straight-chain groups with multiple coordinative atoms by the successive addition of oxygen, finally leading to the generation of a primary-amine-type weakly-basic anion exchange resin. The increase in the U(VI) capacity would be due to the formation of the straight-chain groups. However, such structural changes were not observed by heating at 323 K in up to 6 M HNO₃ for 20 days. Thus, it was shown that PVPP is a heat-resistant resin.     

Etudes calorimetriques en milieu solvant organique. V. Enthalpies de dissolution de l'alanate de sodium,NaAlH4, dans le tetrahydrofuranne

The enthalpies of dissolution of sodium tetrahydridoaluminate NaAlH₄ in THF have been determined for different concentrations. The enthalpies of dissolution and dilution are exothermic from 1 to 7 · 10^?3 M. The enthalpy of dissolution at infinite dilution has been calculated: ΔH^∝_diss = ?6.38 kcal mole^?1.     

Formation of Tc metal in 12 M HCl using Zn as a reductant

Amorphous TcO₂ and NH₄TcO₄ solubilized into 12 M HCl will spontaneously convert to hexachlorotechnetate (TcCl₆ ^2?). This process is accelerated upon heating but species lower than Tc(IV) are not generated by this action. TcCl₆ ^2? is kinetically unstable with regards to formation in solutions of low concentrations of HCl and will spontaneously convert back to soluble and insoluble forms of Tc(IV) in water. TcCl₆ ^2? in 12 M HCl placed in contact with the reducing metal Zn at elevated temperatures (90 °C) forms a black precipitate that contains amorphous Tc metal, TcO₂, and oxy-chlorides of Tc. Powder X-ray diffraction indicates the presence of Tc metal after thermal treatment where X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy indicates the presence of hexagonal Tc metal and amorphous TcO₂ in the precipitate after rinsing with 12 HCl but before thermal treatment. The resulting solution contains a mixture of Tc chlorides and oxy-chlorides following reduction where TcCl₆ ^2? is completely consumed resulting primarily in Tc₂OCl₁₀ ^4? dominating the UV–visible spectra. Reducing the solution volume and reconstituting the products into 12 M HCl while boiling the mixed solution (>24 h) will slowly convert all soluble Tc back to TcCl₆ ^2?. Expanding on previous efforts made in this laboratory to recover Tc metal from aqueous solution, we investigate its synthesis when Tc(IV) and Tc(VII) in 12 M HCl is placed in contact with the reducing metal (i.e., Zn) at elevated temperatures.     

Online thorium determination after preconcentration in a minicolumn having XAD-4 resin impregnated with N-benzoylphenylhydroxylamine by FI-spectrophotometry

A very sensitive and selective flow injection on-line determination method of thorium (IV) after preconcentration in a minicolumn having XAD-4 resin impregnated with N-benzoylphenylhydroxylamine is described. Thorium (IV) was selectively adsorbed from aqueous solution of pH 4.5 in a minicolumn at a flow rate of 13.6 mL min^?1, eluted with 3.6 mol dm^?3 HCl (5.6 mL min^?1), mixed with arsenazo-III (0.05% in 3.6 mol dm^?3 HCl stabilized with 1% Triton X-100, 5.6 mL min^?1) at confluence point and taken to the flow through cell of spectrophotometer where its absorbance was measured at 660 nm. Peak height was used for data analyses. The preconcentration factors obtained were 32 and 162, detection limits of 0.76 and 0.150 ??g L^?1, sample throughputs of 40 and 11 h^?1 for preconcentration times of 60 and 300 s, respectively. The tolerance levels for Zr(IV) and U(VI) metal ions is increased to 50-folds higher concentration to Th(IV). The proposed method was applied on different spiked tap water, sea water and biological sample and good recovery was obtained. The method was also applied on certified reference material IAEA-SL1 (Lake Sediment) for the determination of thorium and the results were in good agreement with the reported value.     

Determination of trace amounts of plutonium in low-active liquid wastes from spent nuclear-fuel reprocessing plants by flow injection-based solid-phase extraction/electrochemical detection system

A flow injection-based electrochemical detection system coupled to a solid-phase extraction column was developed for the determination of trace amounts of plutonium in low-active liquid wastes from spent nuclear-fuel reprocessing plants. The oxidation state of plutonium in a sample solution was adjusted to Pu(VI) by the addition of silver(II) oxide. A sample solution was made up in 3 mol L^?1 HNO₃ and loaded onto a column packed with UTEVA^® with 3 mol L^?1 HNO₃ as the carrier. Plutonium(VI) was adsorbed onto the resin, and interfering elements were removed by rinsing the column with 3 mol L^?1 HNO₃. Subsequently, the adsorbed Pu(VI) was eluted with 0.01 mol L^?1 HNO₃, and then introduced directly into the flow-through electrolysis cell with boron-doped diamond electrode. The eluted Pu(VI) was detected by an electrochemical amperometric method at a working potential of 0.1 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The current produced on reduction of Pu(VI) was continuously monitored and recorded. The plutonium concentration was calculated from the relationship between the peak area and concentration of plutonium. The relative standard deviation of ten analyses was 1.1% for a plutonium solution of 25 μg L^?1 containing 50 ng of Pu. The detection limit calculated from three-times the standard deviation was 0.82 μg L^?1 (1.6 ng of Pu).     

Determination of prazosin in pharmaceutical samples by flow injection analysis with multiple-pulse amperometric detection using boron-doped diamond electrode

This work describes the development of a simple, fast and low-cost method for determining prazosin (PRA) in pharmaceutical samples by flow injection analysis with multiple-pulse amperometric (FIA-MPA) detection using a boron-doped diamond film electrode. Electrochemical detection of PRA was optimized in phosphate buffer pH 4.0 by cyclic voltammetry, in which PRA presented two oxidation processes around at 0.97 and 1.40 V versus Ag/AgCl (3.0 mol L^?1 KCl). In these conditions, PRA also showed one reduction process at ?0.75 V that is dependent on the oxidation processes. Thus, the determination of PRA by FIA-MPA detection consisted on the application of a two-potential waveform, E ₁ (generator potential)?=?1.6 V/400 ms and E ₂ (collector potential)?=??1.0 V/30 ms, with sample loop of 150 μL and flow rate of 3.0 mL min^?1. The method showed good repeatability (RSD?<?3.0 %) and high analytical frequency (70 injections per h). The working linear range was obtained from 2 to 200 μmol L^?1 with a limit of detection of 0.5 μmol L^?1. The recovery tests in all samples were approximately 100 %, and the results were compared with chromatographic methods.     

Thermal analysis, decomposition kinetics, and molecular modeling of transition metal (Fe, Co) surfactant complexes

A detailed thermal analysis of iron and cobalt surfactant complexes of the type [M(CH₃COO)₄]^2?[C₁₂H₂₅NH₃ ⁺]₂ has been carried out using Thermogravimetric (TG) analysis at different heating rates (i.e., 5, 10, 15, and 20 °C min^?1). It has been observed that iron complex decomposes by a different mechanism compared to other transition metal complexes. Metal is the final product instead of metal oxide. Combining the results from our previous study, first row transition metal complexes exhibit an order of stability in agreement with the famous Irving Williams series, i.e., the apparent activation energy, E for thermal decomposition varies as: E _Fe > E _Co < E _Ni < E _Cu > E _Zn (exception being iron because of different decomposition mechanism). Thermal decomposition parameters have been measured and compared using the multiple heating rate method of Flynn–Wall–Ozawa. Further, molecular modeling calculations have been carried out to compare the experimental TG data with theoretical computations for the synthesized metal surfactant complexes. Minimum energy optimized structures for the complexes have been obtained using Gaussian software.     

Direct electrochemistry and bioelectrocatalysis of a class II non-symbiotic plant haemoglobin immobilised on screen-printed carbon electrodes

In this study, direct electron transfer (ET) has been achieved between an immobilised non-symbiotic plant haemoglobin class II from Beta vulgaris (nsBvHb2) and three different screen-printed carbon electrodes based on graphite (SPCE), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-SPCE), and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT-SPCE) without the aid of any electron mediator. The nsBvHb2 modified electrodes were studied with cyclic voltammetry (CV) and also when placed in a wall-jet flow through cell for their electrocatalytic properties for reduction of H₂O₂. The immobilised nsBvHb2 displayed a couple of stable and well-defined redox peaks with a formal potential (E°′) of ?33.5 mV (vs. Ag|AgCl|3 M KCl) at pH 7.4. The ET rate constant of nsBvHb2, k _s, was also determined at the surface of the three types of electrodes in phosphate buffer solution pH 7.4, and was found to be 0.50 s^?1 on SPCE, 2.78 s^?1 on MWCNT-SPCE and 4.06 s^?1 on SWCNT-SPCE, respectively. The average surface coverage of electrochemically active nsBvHb2 immobilised on the SPCEs, MWCNT-SPCEs and SWCNT-SPCEs obtained was 2.85?×?10^?10 mol cm^?2, 4.13?×?10^?10 mol cm^?2 and 5.20?×?10^?10 mol cm^?2. During the experiments the immobilised nsBvHb2 was stable and kept its electrochemical and catalytic activities. The nsBvHb2 modified electrodes also displayed an excellent response to the reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) with a linear detection range from 1 μM to 1000 μM on the surface of SPCEs, from 0.5 μM to 1000 μM on MWCNT-SPCEs, and from 0.1 μM to 1000 μM on SWCNT-SPCEs. The lower limit of detection was 0.8 μM, 0.4 μM and 0.1 μM at 3σ at the SPCEs, the MWCNT-SPCEs, and the SWCNT-SPCEs, respectively, and the apparent Michaelis–Menten constant, $ {\hbox{K}}_{\rm{M}}^{\rm{app}} $ , for the H₂O₂ sensors was estimated to be 0.32 mM , 0.29 mM and 0.27 mM, respectively.     

Simple Selective Spectrophotometric Method for the Determination of Ruthenium in Carbon Supported Pt-Ru-Ge Catalyst

ABSTRACT

A simple spectrophotometric method for the determination of ruthenium in the presence of platinum in Pt-Ru-Ge catalyst applied in fuel cells has been developed. Platinum catalyst (20% Pt) with carbon support containing 0.5% Ru and 5% Ge was digested in the mixture of HCl+HNO₃ (6+1). Carbon was separated from the examined sample by filtration after dissolution of the metals. Ruthenium was converted into a complex with thiourea (λ_max=640 nm, ε = 2.9·10³ 1 mol^?1 cm^?1) in the medium of 5 M in HCl and 1% in thiourea after 15 min heating at 70 °C. Platinum does not interfere with the determination of ruthenium. Germanium is converted into volatile GeCl₄ and escapes from the examined sample during the digestion step. The content of ruthenium determined in the examined samples of catalyst amounted to 0.49% (RSD = 0.14%).     

Optimization of Sample Preparation of Carrot-Fruit Juice for Determination of Antimony,Arsenic, and Selenium by Hydride Generation-Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry

Sample preparation procedures for the determination of As, Sb, and Se in carrot-fruit juice by hydride generation inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (HG-ICP OES) were examined. The applicability of a partial decomposition using aqua regia and simple dilution with a 2% (v/v) HNO₃ solution were tested and compared to a traditional treatment based on the wet digestion with a HNO₃/H₂O₂ mixture. The pre-reduction and hydride generation reaction conditions were evaluated. Under the optimal conditions, the hydrides were produced in the reaction of an acidified sample with NaBH₄ after pre-reduction with ascorbic acid [0.5% (m/v)] and KI [0.5% (m/v)] in 3 mol L^?1 HCl for total As and Sb, and boiling with HCl (6 mol L^?1) for total Se. The best results were obtained for the aqua regia procedure, resulting in limits of detection (LODs) between 1.2–2.4 ng g^?1 in the samples and recoveries from 90.9% to 109.1%. The method was successfully applied (without matrix effects) for the determination of As in dense mousse and pulp juice samples and for Sb in pulp juices. Standard solutions, processed in the same way as samples, were used for the calibration. Undecomposed matrix constituents strongly influenced Se; hence this element was determined using the method of standard addition. Concentrations of studied elements in analyzed products were at the trace level, that is, 6–32 ng g^?1, 4–10 ng g^?1, and 4–13 ng g^?1 for Se, As, and Sb, respectively.     

Evaluation of Vanadium(IV) as a Non-radioactive Surrogate for Technetium(IV) by Comparison of Stability Constants for Polyamino Polycarboxylate Ligand Complexation

The stability constants for the Tc(IV) and V(IV) complexation with the polyamino polycarboxylate ligands IDA, NTA, HEDTA and DTPA were determined using liquid–liquid extraction techniques. These stability constants were then used to evaluate the validity of using V(IV) as a chemical analogue for Tc(IV). Results suggest that Tc(IV), as TcOOH⁺, will form β _1?11 complexes with the selected ligands, while V(IV), as VO²⁺, will form β ₁₀₁ complexes. The values for these determined stability constants are (in log₁₀ unit) 10.9 ± 0.1, 11.4 ± 0.1, 14.9 ± 0.1, and 20.1 ± 0.1 for Tc(IV) in 0.5 mol·L^?1 NaCl at 25 °C, for IDA, NTA, HEDTA and DTPA, respectively, they are 9.3 ± 0.1, 11.6 ± 0.2, 15.8 ± 0.1, and 20.8 ± 0.1 for V(IV) in 0.5 mol·L^?1 NaCl at 25 °C, for the same suite of ligands. The incorporation of a hydroxide into the metal ligand complexes formed by Tc(IV) is proposed as the largest factor differentiating the apparent stability constants of Tc(IV) and V(IV). This work shows that V(IV) is a poor analog for Tc(IV); however, despite the differences in complexation mechanism between V(IV) and Tc(IV), V(IV) still appears to have some use for predicting Tc(IV) complexation behavior.     

Thermochemical property of a microporous material for mixed metal borate of Li2Sr4B12O23

A pure mixed alkali–alkaline earth metal borate of Li₂Sr₄B₁₂O₂₃ with microporous structure has been synthesized by high-temperature solid state reaction, and characterized by XRD, FT-IR, TG techniques, and chemical analysis. The molar enthalpies of solution of Li₂Sr₄B₁₂O₂₃ in 1 mol L^?1 HCl(aq), and of SrCl₂·H₂O(s) in [1 mol L^?1 HCl + H₃BO₃ + LiCl·H₂O](aq) have been determined by microcalorimeter at 298.15 K, respectively. From these data and with the incorporation of the previously determined enthalpies of solution of H₃BO₃(s) in 1 mol L^?1 HCl(aq), and of LiCl·H₂O(s) in [1 mol L^?1HCl + H₃BO₃](aq), together with the use of the standard molar enthalpies of formation for SrCl₂·6H₂O(s), LiCl·H₂O(s), H₃BO₃(s), HCl(aq), and H₂O(l), the standard molar enthalpy of formation of ?(11,534.0 ± 10.0) kJ mol^?1 for Li₂Sr₄B₁₂O₂₃ was obtained on the basis of the appropriate thermochemical cycle.     

Preparation of 99Mo/99mTc generator based on alumina 99Mo-molybdate (VI) gel

In this work alumina ⁹⁹Mo-molybdate (VI) gel is evaluated as a column matrix for use in the preparation of small chromatographic column type ^99mTc generator. Alumina molybdate (VI) gel is prepared by dissolving inactive MoO₃ with aluminum foil in 5 M NaOH solution containing ⁹⁹Mo radiotracer. After complete dissolution, 0.5 H₂O₂ was added to the reaction mixture solution and acidified to pH 5.5 with concentrated HNO₃. The formed AlMo precipitate was washed with NaNO₃ solution, dried at 50 °C for 24 h and then packed in the form of a chromatographic column for elution of the generated ^99mTc radionuclide with physiological saline solution (0.9 % NaCl). Greater than 86 % of the generated ^99mTc activity is immediately and reproducibly eluted with passing 10 mL of the saline solution through 2.0 g of alumina ⁹⁹Mo-molybdate column bed at a flow rate of about 1.0 mL/min. The high radiochemical ≥98.6 % TcO₄ ^?, radionuclidic ≥99.90 % ^99mTc and chemical purities of the eluates satisfy the specifications for use in nuclear medicine.     

Properties of PAN-TBP extraction chromatographic material

Three production routes of the preparation of a solid extractant based on tributylphosphate (TBP) embedded in the polyacrylonitrile matrix (PAN) have been studied. The method of direct PAN coagulation with TBP was found to be not viable due to the significant TBP solubility in the coagulation bath. The most suitable PAN-TBP solid extractant was prepared by the well-known impregnation method of ready-made neat PAN beads. The kinetics of uranium extraction from 3 mol L^?1 HNO₃, the effect of nitrate and nitric acids concentrations on the value of weight distribution coefficients D _g as well as the uranium “extraction isotherm” were determined for this material. Uranium extraction was rather fast, approximately 1 h was sufficient for the equilibrium achievement. Capacity for the uranium uptake, measured in batch experiments on PAN-TBP for 0.048 mol L^?1 of uranium in 3 mol L^?1 nitric acid, was found to be q = 0.363 mmol g^?1 (58 % of the theoretical capacity). It was concluded that PAN-TBP material behaves like TBP in liquid–liquid extraction. Extraction capacity determined in column experiments was lower (by about 23 %) than expected from the “extraction isotherm” due to the TBP leaching out of the column. The thus prepared material is therefore not very suitable for multicycle extraction and stripping and can be used once, particularly for the analytical purposes.     

Solid phase extraction and preconcentration of trace mercury(II) from aqueous solution using magnetic nanoparticles doped with 1,5-diphenylcarbazide

A new method for solid-phase extraction and preconcentration of trace mercury(II) from aqueous solution was developed using 1,5-diphenylcarbazide doped magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles as extractant. The surface treatment did not result in the phase change of Fe₃O₄. Various factors which influenced the recovery of the analyte were investigated using model solutions and batch equilibrium technique. The maximum adsorption occurred at pH?>?6, and equilibrium was achieved within 5 min. Without filtration or centrifugation, these mercury loaded nanoparticles could be separated easily from the aqueous solution by simply applying an external magnetic field. At optimal conditions, the maximum adsorption capacity was 220 μmol g^?1. The mercury ions can be eluted from the composite magnetic particles using 0.5 mol L^?1 HNO₃ as a desorption reagent. The detection limit of the method (3σ) was 0.16 μg L^?1 for cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry, and the relative standard deviation was 2.2%. The method was validated by the analysis of a certified reference material with the results being in agreement with those quoted by manufactures. The method was applied to the preconcentration and determination of trace inorganic mercury(II) in natural water and plant samples with satisfactory results.     

Quantitative analysis of neodymium, uranium, and palladium in nitric acid solution by reflection absorption spectrophotometry

Quantitative analysis of Nd, U, or Pd in 3 mol dm^?3 (M) HNO₃ was performed by reflection absorption spectrophotometry at ultraviolet–visible–near-infrared (UV/Vis/NIR) region. A sample chamber with optics for reflection measurement was designed and attached to a UV/Vis/NIR spectrophotometer by optical fibers. The reflection absorbance showed linear relations with concentrations of Nd, U, and Pd at the absorbance region less than 0.1. The quantitative analysis was found to be possible for 3 M HNO₃ solutions containing [Nd] ~0.2 M, [U] ~0.04 M, or [Pd] ~0.01 M.     

Large inclusion constants of ��-cyclodextrin with carborane derivatives

Complexation of some o-, m- and p-carborane derivatives with ??-cyclodextrin was investigated using phenolphthalein in pH 10.5 (0.05 mol dm^?3) borate buffer. Some carborane derivatives indicated large inclusion constants K_ass > 1 × 10⁵ dm³ mol^?1.