Synergistic extraction of uranium with mixtures of PC88A and neutral oxodonors

The extraction of uranium(VI) from nitric acid medium is investigated using 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid-mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (PC88A in dimeric form, H₂A₂) as extractant either alone or in combination with neutral extractants such as tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP), trioctyl phosphine oxide (TOPO), and dioctyl sulfoxide (DOSO). The effects of different experimental parameters such as aqueous phase acidity (up to 10 M HNO₃), nature of diluent [xylene, carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄), n-dodecane and methyl iso-butyl ketone (MIBK)] and of temperature (303–333 K) on the extraction behavior of uranium were investigated. Synergistic extraction of uranium was observed between 0.5 and 6 M HNO₃. Use of MIBK as diluent was also studied. Temperature variation studies using PC88A as extractant showed exothermic nature of extraction process. Studies were carried out to optimize the conditions for the recovery of uranium from the raffinate generated during the purification of uranium from nitric acid medium. Inductively Couple Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) techniques were employed for analysis of uranium in equilibrated samples.     

Antagonism in the extraction of uranium(VI) by the binary mixture of PC88A and benzimidazole

Extraction studies of uranium(VI) by the binary mixture of PC88A and benzimidazole show an antagonistic behavior in the concentration range 10⁻⁵–10⁻⁶M of PC88A and 0.005M of benzimidazole. Antagonism is observed due to the deprotonation of PC88A by benzimidazole forming an adduct resulting in the virtual removal of PC88A from the system.     

Chemical studies on uranium extraction from concentrated phosphoric acid by using PC88A and DBBP mixture

The activity concentration of beryllium-7 (⁷Be), a naturally occurring cosmogenic radionuclide produced in the upper atmosphere, was measured in plants on the Loess plateau of China during the growing season of 2005. The ⁷Be mass activity concentration on July 27 ranged from 34.8 to 147.1 Bq kg⁻¹ in herbaceous plants, from 47.6 to 116.1 Bq kg⁻¹ in subshrubs, and from 15.7 to 56.8 Bq kg⁻¹ in crop plants. The ⁷Be mass and areal activity concentrations of a mixture of herbaceous plants increased from 66.8 to 288.7 Bq kg⁻¹ and from 0.7 to 46.5 Bq m⁻², respectively, during the growing season. On an areal basis, the fraction of ⁷Be in plants in the soil–plant system increased from 0.4 to 8.4% during the growing season. Positive linear correlations were found between the increases of ⁷Be mass and areal activity concentrations in the inter-sampling intervals and the amount of precipitation.     

Preparation of carrier-free copper-64,67 nuclides by liquid-liquid extraction

A simple procedure is described for the preparation of carrier-free copper-64,67 nuclides from a zinc target exposed to fast neutrons. The irradiated target is dissolved in water, and thepH of the solution is adjusted to about six. Radioactive copper nuclides are then extracted with a 1% solution of resacetophenone oxime in cyclohexanone. Zinc is not extracted under these conditions. Radiocopper is back-extracted by shaking the organic phase with dilute mineral acid. About 5 mCi of carrier-free⁶⁴Cu can be obtained from 1 g of zinc.     

Sequential separation by HDEHP of carrier-free101,105,106Rh,103,104,105,106,110,112Ag and104,105,107,109,111Cd produced in alpha-particle activated palladium

Carrier free^101,105,106Rh,^{103,104,105,106,110,112}Ag and^{104,105,107,109,111}Cd radioisotopes were produced simultaneously by -particle irradiation of palladium target material in a variable energy cyclotron. The radioisotopes produced were extracted and separated from the activated target by LLX using HDEHP as liquid cation exchanger. With the help of -ray spectrometry the presence of several radioisotopes in the activated target matrix and their purity at each step of the separation was confirmed.     

Separation of some carrier-free nuclides from matrices by chelate extraction

Separation procedures based on chelate extraction are described, which can be used in the course of production of carrier-free nuclides. The selectivities of the separations dealt with are fairly high, while the overall yield depends on the experimental conditions, primarily on whether the micro- or the macrocomponent of the system can be chelated. The problems encountered in the production of carrier-free⁶⁴Cu,⁶⁷Cu,⁸⁴Rb and¹¹¹Ag are briefly discussed.     

表面活性剂对HDEHP萃取动力学的影响

用上升液滴法测定二(2-乙基己基)磷酸(HDEHP)从硫酸盐介质中萃取Co^2^+的速率。研究体系中加入不同表面活性剂所引起萃取速率的不同改变: 三辛基氧化膦(TOPO)因与HDEHP形成可萃取的Co^2^+活性分子缔合物, 降低了萃取过程活化能而使反应加速; 十二烷基磺酸钠(SDS)和十六烷基三甲基溴化铵(CTMAB)因占据发生萃取反应的界面区, 减小了HDEHP与Co^2^+反应的机会而使反应减速; SDS还因其在界面形成较强的负电场(层), 造成Co^2^+的附加势能而使萃取速率有更大幅度的降低。     

Separation of transplutonium and rare-earth elements by extraction with HDEHP from DTPA solutions

The extraction behaviour of Am, Cm, Bk, Cf, Es, La, Ce, Pr, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Ho, Yb and Lu in the system HDEHP—DTPA in lactic acid has been studied from the point of view of group separation of the transplutonium and rare-earth elements. Optimum separation conditions have been found on the basis of the results obtained. Some test separations of transplutonium elements from rare-earth fission products have been carried out in real solutions by extraction chromatography. It has been shown that this method can be used successfully for the analytical determination of transplutonium elements as well as for recovery of the latter from irradiated samples.     

Synergistic extraction of uranium(VI) and americium(III) with binary mixtures of Aliquat 336 and PC 88A-TOPO from nitric-sulfuric acid medium

Synergism is observed in the extraction of uranium(VI) by the binary mixture of Aliquat 336 and PC 88A (2-ethylhexylphosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester) from 0.5–6M HNO₃ solution showing a maximum at 3M. In H₂SO₄ medium, antagonism at lower acidity and slight synergism at higher acid concentrations have been observed. Synergism occurs in the extraction of Am(III) from nitrate solutions when a mixture of Aliquat 336 and TOPO is used.     

Separation of rhodium from ruthenium and iridium by fast solvent extraction with HDEHP

Solvent extraction of rhodium, ruthenium and iridium with di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (HDEHP) has been investigated. Under the conditions [Cl^–1]=0.20M, [(HDEHP)₂]=0.30M, pH 4.05, phase contact time 1 minutes, Rh(III) is extracted 90.7%, Ru(III) and Ir(III) 20.0% and 11.5%, respectively, at phase ratio 11. The distribution ratio of rhodium is proportional to [(HDEHP)₂]³ for a freshly prepared aqueous phase with low chloride concentration but might drop to [(HDEHP)₂]^1to2 for an aqueous phase high in chloride concentration and after standing. The spectroscopic studies indicate that the extracted compound of rhodium is Rh(H₂O)_6–x Cl _x [H(DEHP)₂]_3–x (x=0, 1, 2).     

Synergistic extraction of uranium(VI) from nitric acid solution by mixture of DMHMP and DOSO in benzene

Solvent extraction of uranyl nitrate in nitric acid medium with the binary system of DMHMP and DOSO has been investigated. It was found that synergistic effect occurs during the extraction of uranyl nitrate with benzene solution of DMHMP and DOSO, the binary species extracted UO₂ (NO₃)₂·DMHMP·DOSO has been confirmed. From the data the equilibrium constants have been determined.     

Solvent extraction of rhodium,ruthenium, and iridium with HDEHP

Solvent extraction of rhodium, ruthenium, and iridium with HDEHP from thioureachloride media was investigated. Under the conditions ([Cl^–]=0.50 M, [HDEHP]=1.0M, [SC(NH₂)₂]=0.50M, pH=4.50, phase contact time 1 min), Rh(III) is extracted 88.3%, Ru(III) and Ir(III) 40.8% and 28.5% respectively at phase ratio 11. The formation of rhodium-thiourea complexes in aqueous solutions, even at 5M chloride concentration, with the possible composition Rh[SC (NH₂)₂]₆ ³⁺ is confirmed by the observed molar ratio of thiourea to rhodium and UV-spectra.     

A sensitive method based on HDEHP extraction and LSS for the determination of 90Sr in solid samples

An improved and rapid method is described for the determination of ⁹⁰Sr in environmental samples, through the separation of the daughter ⁹⁰Y at equilibrium. The procedure is based on the HDEHP solvent extraction in combination with liquid scintillation spectrometry (LSS). A low background QuantulusÔ has been optimized for low level counting of Cerenkov radiation emitted by the hard b-emitter ⁹⁰Y. The counting efficiency was 60% and the background 0.53 cpm. The reliability and reproducibility of the method have been checked using IAEA reference materials. The chemical recovery for ⁹⁰Y extraction ranges from 83 to 90%.     

Mathematical modeling of solvent extraction of uranium from sulphate media employing 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid-mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (PC88A) and its mixture with trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) as extractants

The extraction of U(VI) from sulphate medium with 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid-mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (PC88A, H₂A₂ in dimeric form) in n-dodecane has been investigated under varying concentrations of sulphuric acid and uranium. Slope analysis of uranium (VI) distribution data as a function of PC88A concentration suggests the formation of monomeric species, viz. UO₂(HA₂)₂. This observation was further supported by the mathematical expression obtained during non-linear least square regression analysis of U(VI) distribution data correlating the percentage extraction (%E) and the acidity (H _i). A mathematical model correlating the experimental distribution ratio values of U(VI) (D _U) with initial acidity (H _i) and initial uranium concentrations (C _i) was developed: D_\textU = 12.98( ±0.90)/{ C_\texti ^{- 0.75( ±0.05)} ×[ H_\texti ]² } D_{\text{U}} = 12.98( \pm 0.90)/\left\{ {C_{\text{i}}^{ - 0.75( \pm 0.05)} \times \left[ {H_{\text{i}} } \right]^{2} } \right\} . This expression can be used to predict the concentration of uranium in organic as well as in aqueous phase at any C _i and H _i. The extraction data were used to calculate the conditional extraction constant (K _ex) values at different acidities (2–7 M H⁺), uranium (0.02–0.1 M) and PC88A (0.2–0.6 M) concentrations. These studies were also extended for the extraction of U(VI) using synergistic mixtures of PC88A and TOPO from sulphate medium.     

Binary mixture of PC88A and TOPO as extractant for thorium(IV) from aqueous HNO3 and H2SO4 media

Synergism is observed in the extraction of thorium(IV) by the binary mixture of PC88A and TOPO in the range 0.1–2.5M HNO₃ solution. The increase in acidity decreases the synergistic effect. Antagonism is observed when the extraction is carried out in H₂SO₄ medium.     

Synergistic stabilization of emulsions by a mixture of surface-active nanoparticles and surfactant

The stability and rheology of tricaprylin oil-in-water emulsions containing a mixture of surface-active hydrophilic silica nanoparticles and pure nonionic surfactant molecules are reported and compared with those of emulsions stabilized by each emulsifier alone. The importance of the preparation protocol is highlighted. Addition of particles to a surfactant-stabilized emulsion results in the appearance of a small population of large drops due to coalescence, possibly by bridging of adsorbed particles. Addition of surfactant to a particle-stabilized emulsion surprisingly led to increased coalescence too, although the resistance to creaming increased mainly due to an increase in viscosity. Simultaneous emulsification of particles and surfactant led to synergistic stabilization at intermediate concentrations of surfactant; emulsions completely stable to both creaming and coalescence exist at low overall emulsifier concentration. Using the adsorption isotherm of surfactant on particles and the viscosity and optical density of aqueous particle dispersions, we show that the most stable emulsions are formed from dispersions of flocculated, partially hydrophobic particles. From equilibrium contact angle and oil-water interfacial tension measurements, the calculated free energy of adsorption E of a silica particle to the oil-water interface passes through a maximum with respect to surfactant concentration, in line with the emulsion stability optimum. This results from a competition between the influence of particle hydrophobicity and interfacial tension on the magnitude of E.     

Synergistic extraction of hexavalent actinides by HTTA and neutral donors-II

Synergistic extraction studies on Np(VI) and Pu(VI) have been carried out as a part of the programme on the synergistic extraction of hexavalent actinides. Extraction of Np(VI) and Pu(VI) were carried out by mixtures of HTTA and TBP in benzene from aqueous perchlorate and nitrate media. Equilibrium constant values for the various reaction equilibria involved were calculated from the data obtained by using slope-ratio as well as Job’s method. The extraction of Np(VI) by the synergistic mixture from 1M nitric acid indicated that the species NpO₂ (TTA) (NO₃). TBP was not involved in the extraction. The log values of K_A, K_AB and β_AB were −1.5, 2.92 and 4.43, respectively for Np(VI) and −1.63, 2.50 and 4.13 respectively for Pu(VI).     

On the mechanism of trivalent actinide extraction in the system HDEHP—Lactic acid with DTPA

The dependence of the distribution coefficients on the hydrogen ion concentration and HDEHP concentration in the process of extraction from lactic acid solutions in the presence of DTPA and without it has been investigated. It has been shown that when the lactate ion concentration is higher than 0.01M, Cm is extracted predominantly as the first lactate complex. The presence of DTPA does not change the extraction mechanism. Similarity of the observed regularities for trivalent actinides and lanthanides is confirmed by the extraction of Bk(III), Ce(III), and Eu(III). It is suggested that the nature of carbonic acid used in TALSPEAK-process greatly influences the efficiency of group separation of TPE and lanthanides. It is supported by some experimental data. The extraction and stability constants of the first lactate complex (Cm Lact²⁺) have been found to be: K_e=2, β ₁ ⁰ = 7,7 · 10³. In the practical lactic acid concentration range (1 M) the unextractable complex, Cm Lact₃, is also formed in the aqueous phase. The stability constant of this complex has been found to be β ₃ ⁰ = 1.2 · 10⁷.     

Liquid anion-exchange extraction and separation of yttrium,neodymium and samarium

Yttrium, neodymium and samarium are extracted from sodium succinate solution with tri-n-octylamine in benzene and determined spectrophotometrically. Procedures for the separation of microgram amounts of Y, Nd and Sm from La, Sc, Dy, Hf, Zr, Ce(IV), Th and U(VI) are described.