Uptake of actinides by sulphonated phosphinic acid resin from acid medium

The removal of uranium and americium from nitric acid solutions by sulphonated phosphinic acid resin has been investigated. The capacity of the sulphonated resin exceeds the capacities of phosphinic acid resin and commercial cation exchange resin. Other advantages of the sulphonated resin for uranium and americium removal include reduced sensitivity to acidity and inert salt concentration.     

Sequential separation of actinides and lanthanides by extraction chromatography using a CMPO-TBP/XAD7 column

CMPO/TBP sorbed on Amberlite XAD7 resin was used for the separation of actinides and lanthanides from nitric acid solutions by extraction chromatography. The distribution ratios of actinides and lanthanide fission products (Ce, Eu) as a function of acid concentration and some complexing agents were determined. In strong HNO₃ medium (>1 mol/l) the tri-, tetra- and hexavalent actinides as well as the lanthanides have shown great affinity for the CMPO/TBP/XAD7 sorbent. The same behavior was found in HCl medium except for trivalent actinides and lanthanides which show lower distribution values in the same acid range. The effect of some complexing agents as DTPA and ammonium oxalate were also investigated. In DTPA only hexavalent actinides showed higher distribution value. On the basis of these differences, an alternative procedure for actinide-lanthanide separation and actinides from each other is proposed.     

Extraction chromatographic method for the separation of actinides and lanthanides using EDHBA grafted AXAD-16 polymer

A new extraction chromatographic method has been developed by grafting chloromethylated polymer support with 4-ethoxy-N,N-dihexylbutanamide (EDHBA), for the selective extraction of U(VI), Th(IV), La(III) and Nd(III) from highly acidic matrices. The developed grafted polymer has been characterized using ¹³C-CPMAS NMR spectroscopy, FT-NIR spectroscopy and also by CHN elemental analysis. The water regaining capacity of the grafted polymer is studied by TGA measurements and the active participation of the amide moiety towards metal ion complexation has been confirmed by Far IR spectroscopy. For the quantitative extraction of metal ions to the resin phase, various physio-chemical parameters are optimized by both static and dynamic methods. The developed amide grafted polymeric matrix shows good distribution ratio values even at high acidities, with the maximum metal sorption capacity values being 0.36, 0.69, 0.32 and 0.42 mmol g⁻¹ for U(VI), Th(IV), La(III) and Nd(III), respectively, at 6 M HNO₃ medium. The kinetics of metal ion phase equilibration is found to be moderately fast, with t_1/2 values of <6 min, for all the analytes of interest. The limits of analyte quantification (LOQ) using the developed method are in the range of 15-30 μg L⁻¹. Moreover, the sequential separation of the sorbed actinides and lanthanides could be achieved by first eluting with 100 mL of distilled water (for actinides) followed by elution with 20 mL of 0.1 M EDTA (for lanthanides). The selectivity behavior and the practical applicability of the developed resin are tested using synthetic low level nuclear reprocessing mixtures and also with monazite sand. The analytical data are within 3.8% relative standard deviation, reflecting the reproducibility and reliability of the developed method.     

Synergistic extraction of trivalent actinides and lanthanides using macrocyclic compounds

The combination of lipophilic macrocyclic oxygen donors with the extractant thenoyltrifluoroacetone /HTTA/ has been shown to have a significant synergistic effect on the extractions of trivalent actinides and lanthanides. The results show that the nitrogen containing cryptand /222BB/ is a more effective synergist than the crown ether compound /15-C-5/ with only oxygen donors.     

Differentiating between trivalent lanthanides and actinides

The reactions of LnCl(3) with molten boric acid result in the formation of Ln[B(4)O(6)(OH)(2)Cl] (Ln = La-Nd), Ln(4)[B(18)O(25)(OH)(13)Cl(3)] (Ln = Sm, Eu), or Ln[B(6)O(9)(OH)(3)] (Ln = Y, Eu-Lu). The reactions of AnCl(3) (An = Pu, Am, Cm) with molten boric acid under the same conditions yield Pu[B(4)O(6)(OH)(2)Cl] and Pu(2)[B(13)O(19)(OH)(5)Cl(2)(H(2)O)(3)], Am[B(9)O(13)(OH)(4)]·H(2)O, or Cm(2)[B(14)O(20)(OH)(7)(H(2)O)(2)Cl]. These compounds possess three-dimensional network structures where rare earth borate layers are joined together by BO(3) and/or BO(4) groups. There is a shift from 10-coordinate Ln(3+) and An(3+) cations with capped triangular cupola geometries for the early members of both series to 9-coordinate hula-hoop geometries for the later elements. Cm(3+) is anomalous in that it contains both 9- and 10-coordinate metal ions. Despite these materials being synthesized under identical conditions, the two series do not parallel one another. Electronic structure calculations with multireference, CASSCF, and density functional theory (DFT) methods reveal the An 5f orbitals to be localized and predominately uninvolved in bonding. For the Pu(III) borates, a Pu 6p orbital is observed with delocalized electron density on basal oxygen atoms contrasting the Am(III) and Cm(III) borates, where a basal O 2p orbital delocalizes to the An 6d orbital. The electronic structure of the Ce(III) borate is similar to the Pu(III) complexes in that the Ce 4f orbital is localized and noninteracting, but the Ce 5p orbital shows no interaction with the coordinating ligands. Natural bond orbital and natural population analyses at the DFT level illustrate distinctive larger Pu 5f atomic occupancy relative to Am and Cm 5f, as well as unique involvement and occupancy of the An 6d orbitals.     

用于三价锕镧分离的萃取剂的合成与表征

以6,6'-二氰-2,2'-联吡啶为原料,经两步反应,合成了6,6'二(5,6二乙基-1,2,4-三嗪-3-基)-2,2'-联吡啶.第一步改变条件使反应时间由17d缩短到3d,得到的中间体和目标产物经元素分析、IR,1 HNMR和MS等表征确认.此外,对反应机理进行了初步探讨.     

Atomic interaction parameters for lanthanides and actinides

A correlation between the Mie-Lennard-Jones interatomic potential and the position of the element in the Periodic Table is used to correct the parameters for lanthanides and to estimate the parameters of the interatomic potential of promethium (Pm-61) for two structures. From the similarity in the double periodicity for the lanthanides and actinides, the minimum coordinates of the interatomic potential r _o are estimated for the elements from curium (Cm-96) through dubnium (Db-105). From the fact that, for Z _a > 60, r _o decreases with increasing atomic number Z _a for the elements of one column, r _o for roentgenium (Rg-111) is estimated. The corrected parameters of the potential are predicted for the elements from francium (Fr-87) through dubnium (Db-105). From the derived parameters of the interatomic potential, the Debye temperatures and the Grüneisen parameters are calculated for neptunium (Np-93) and americium (Am-95).     

Extraction and extraction chromatographic separation of minor actinides from sulphate bearing high level waste solutions using CMPO

Bench-Scale studies on the partitioning and recovery of minoractinides from the actual and synthetic sulphate-bearing high level waste (SBHLW) solutions have been carried out by giving two contacts with 30% TBP to deplete uranium content followed by four contacts with 0.2M CMPO+1.2M TBP in dodecane. The acidity of the SBHLW solutions was about 0.3M. In the case of actual SBHLW, the final raffinate contained about 0.4% -activity originally present in the HLW, whereas with synthetic SBHLW the -activity was reduced to the background level.¹⁴⁴Ce is extracted almost quantitative in the CMPO phase,¹⁰⁶Ru about 12% and¹³⁷Cs is practically not extracted at all. The extraction chromatographic column studies with synthetic SBHLW (aftertwo TBP contacts) has shown that large volume of waste solutions could be passed through the column without break-through of actinide metal ions. Using 0.04M HNO₃>99% Am(III) and rare earths could be eluted/stripped. Similarly >99% Pu(IV) and U(VI) could be eluted.stripped using 0.01M oxalic acid and 0.25M sodium carbonate, respectively. In the presence of 0.16M SO ₄ ^2– (in the SBHLW) the complex ions AmSO ₄ ⁺ , UO₂SO₄, PuSO ₄ ²⁺ and Pu(SO₄)₂ were formed in the aqueous phase but the species extracted into the organic phase (CMPO+TBP) were only the nitrato complexes Am(NO₃)₃·3CMPO, UO₂(NO₃)₂·2CMPO and Pu(NO₃)₄·2CMPO. A scheme for the recovery of minor actinides from SBHLW solution with two contacts of 30% TBP followed by either solvent extraction or extraction chromatographic techniques has been proposed.     

Group separation of trivalent actinides and lanthanides by tertiary pyridine-type anion-exchange resin embedded in silica beads

The separation of trivalent actinides and lanthanides was studied by using newly developed tertiary pyridine-type anion-exchange resin embedded in silica beads. Chromatographic elution experiments were carried out by using a packed column of the new resin and methanol-hydrochloric acid solution as an effluent. We confirmed that the actinides were eluted well from the elution bands of lanthanides. Actinides and lanthanides were eluted according to the reverse order of their atomic number.     

Thermodynamics of thiocyanate complexes of trivalent actinides and lanthanides

The thermodynamic parameters ΔF, ΔH and ΔS of the complexes of Cm(III), C(III) and Tm(III) with the SCN^? ion have been determined at 30°C in ammonium ion medium of unit ionic strength by the temperature variation method. It has been concluded that both the thiocyanate complexes of trivalent actinides and lanthanides are predominantly inner-sphere type. The higher stability of the second complexes of trivalent actinides is reflected either in the enthalpy or the entropy change depending on the degree of hydration of the trivalent actinide ions. The implications of the greater free energy change for PuSCN²⁺ as compared with other trivalent actinide or lanthanide first thiocyanate complexes are discussed.     

Analytical separations of lanthanides and actinides by capillary electrophoresis

The separation of lanthanide and actinide elements belongs to one of the most challenging tasks of the separation science, due to a great similarity in their physical and chemical properties. The electrophoretic separation can be accomplished in the presence of suitable complex-forming agents, from which alpha-hydroxyisobutyric acid (HIBA) has been used most often. In the most effective capillary electrophoretic mode--capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE)--a complete separation of lanthanide ions can be accomplished within a few minutes. Various electrophoretic methods can be relatively easily adopted for the determinations of individual lanthanide elements in certain kinds of technical materials, concentrates, precursors, etc., where the high speed and low costs of analysis characteristics of capillary electrophoresis (CE) may be advantageously exploited. Electrophoretic techniques may also be employed for speciation studies, especially for examinations of the behavior of actinides in the environment.     

Interaction of granitic biotite with selected lanthanides and actinides

The interaction of granitic biotite with aqueous solutions of La, Nd, Th and U (concentration 10 to 1000 mg·l^-1) was studied using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and ¹²C-Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (¹²C-RBS). For comparison, the sorption of La and Nd by granitic feldspar and natural zeolite heulandite was also investigated. The experimental results showed that biotite exhibits higher sorption ability towards La and Nd, (maximum uptake 2.09 and 7.98 mg/g, respectively) than the feldspar and the heulandite. The interaction of biotite with Th is also intense, the metal being preferably concentrated at the near-surface layers of the crystals. This indicates that other sorption mechanisms (adsorption and surface precipitation) than ion-exchange take place at the solid/solution interface. The same phenomenon was also observed in the case of U, although the corresponding metal uptake was found to be considerably lower.     

Extraction of trivalent lanthanides and actinides by primary amines

Extraction of trivalent lanthanides and actinides by primary amines from nitric acid solution in presence of potassium phosphotungstate (K₁₀P₂W₁₇O₆₁) has been investigated. The effect of nitric acid, potassium phosphotungstate and extractant concentrations, of the organic solvents and the length of primary amine alkyl chain has been studied. Primary amines in chloroform can be used for separtion of lanthanides and actinides and their group isolation.     

Stabilization of actinides and lanthanides in high oxidation states

The stabilization of actinides and lanthanides in unusually high oxidation states can be rationalized on the basis of the interplay of crystal-lattice, acid-base, charge, size and redox factors. In this paper we apply arguments based on such influences to selected high-valent actinide and/or lanthanide compounds. Two new structural studies of the incorporation of f-element cations into the important perovskite structure are briefly discussed. Recently developed superoxidizer-superacid techniques which hold great promise for synthesis of new high-valent f-element fluorides are also mentioned.     

Characterization of high level waste for minor actinides by chemical separation and alpha spectrometry

The high level waste (HLW) generated from the reprocessing of the spent fuel of pressurized heavy water reactor has been characterized for the minor actinides. The radiation dose of the waste solution was reduced by radiochemical separation of cesium from HLW by solvent extraction with chlorinated cobalt dicarbollide dissolved in 20% nitrobenzene in xylene. Minor actinides (Np, Pu, Am, Cm) in the high level waste were assayed by alpha spectrometry following radiochemical separation. The gross alpha activity determined by liquid scintillation agrees well (within 10%) with the cumulative quantities of actinides determined by alpha spectrometry.     

Uptake of actinides and lanthanides from nitric acid by dihexyl-N,N-diethylcarbamoylmethylphosphonate adsorbed on chromosorb

Batchwise uptake of Am(III), Pm(III), Eu(III), U(VI) and Pu(IV) by dihexyl-N,N-diethylcarbamoylmethylphosphonate (CMP) adsorbed on chromosorb (CAC) at nitric acid concentrations between 0.01 to 6.0M has been studied. The difference between the uptake behavior of Pu(IV) as compared to other actinides and lanthanides is discussed. The Am(III) and U(VI) species taken up on CAC were found to be Am(NO₃)₃·3CMP and UO₂(NO₃)₂·2CMP, respectively. The equilibrium constants for the formation of these species have been evaluated and compared with those of similar species formed in liquid-liquid extraction. Batchwise loading of Pm(III) on CAC from 3.0M HNO₃ has also been studied.     

Acetyl-containing phosphine oxides as extractants for actinides and lanthanides

Extraction capability and selectivity of acetyl-containing phosphine oxides R₂P(O)CMe₂CH₂C(O)Me (R = Pr, Bu, n-C₅H₁₁, n-C₆H₁₃, n-C₈H₁₇, Ph) toward actinides (U^VI, Th^IV) and trivalent lanthanides (La^III, Nd^III, Ho^III, Yb^III) were studied. The new ligands were shown to be more efficient and selective in the extraction of uranium, thorium, and heavy lanthanides from nitric acid solutions into chloroform as compared to the known extractants such as carbamoylphosphine oxide Ph₂P(O)CH₂C(O)NBu₂, trioctylphosphine oxide (n-C₈H₁₇)₃P(O), and tributyl phosphate (n-BuO)₃P(O).     

Separation of trivalent actinides from lanthanides by solvent extraction

A method is presented for separating the trivalent actinides, mainly Am and Cm, from trivalent lanthanides by the use of only two solvent extractants. The first solvent removes the heavy lanthanides, leaving the Am, Cm and the lighterlanthanides; the second removes the Am and Cm. Because additional complexing agents are not required, waste-disposal and corrosion problems are reduced. Overall separation factors may be as high as several thousand for the separation of Am and Cm from lanthanides in the fission waste products from reactor fuel processing.     

Rapid sequential separation of actinides using Eichrom's extraction chromatographic material

The presence of ²²⁶ Ra in an estuary formerly affected by direct discharges of waste from a phosphate fertilizer complex has been investigated. Specific activities ranging from 3.6 to 45.2 mBq/l have been detected. In general, activity levels are lower than those detected when direct discharges were carried out. However, there is still a clear contamination due to the disposal of phosphogypsum in open air piles by the river. Moreover, it seems that ²²⁶ Ra is being redissolved from the contaminated bed sediments, which also contributes to an enhancement in the activity levels of the estuary waters.