Cation-exchange separation of uranium from thorium in nitric acid medium</p> </p>

Summary Sorption behavior of Th and U on cation-exchange resins was investigated from nitric acid medium by both batch and column methods. The cation-exchange studies involved the sorption of UO₂²⁺ and Th⁴⁺ and their cationic complexes onto Dowex 50Wx8 and Dowex 50Wx4 resins (50-100 mesh). The batch data yielded a separation factor (K_d,Th/K_d,U) value of >100 for the cation-exchanger, Dowex 50Wx4 at 1-2M HNO₃. Separation of uranium from thorium was also carried out by column method in nitric acid medium using cation-exchangers, Dowex 50Wx4 as well as Dowex 50Wx8. While uranium elution was possible at 1M HNO₃, Th could be eluted only at higher concentration of nitric acid (>6M). The stripped solution emanating from a mixer settler employing di-2-ethyl hexyl isobutyramide as extractant and feed solution similar to THOREX process comprising 350 mg/l U and 380 mg/l Th in 0.75M HNO₃ was loaded on the column and the decontamination factor value for U in the product was >1000.</p> </p>     

Extraction behaviors of Eu,Th, U and Am with diamides+thenoyltrifluoroacetone

N,N-dimethyl-N,N-dihexyl-3-oxapentanediamide, DMDHOPDA, N,N-dihexyl-3-thiopentanediamide, DHTPDA and N,N-dihexyl-3-oxapentanediamide, DHOPDA were synthesized and tested for the synergistic extraction of Eu³⁺, Th⁴⁺, UO ₂ ²⁺ , NpO ₂ ⁺ and Am³⁺ with thenoyltrifluoroacetone (HTTA). Although Eu³⁺, Th⁴⁺, UO ₂ ²⁺ and Am³⁺ were not extracted by DHTPDA or DHOPDA alone, they were extracted synergistically when combined with HTTA. Analysis of the dependency of extraction on pH and extractant concentration indicated that the dominant extracted species were Eu(TTA)₃(A), Th(TTA)₃(A)(X), UO₂(TTA)₂(A) and Am(TTA)₃(A) (where A is diamide, and X is chloroacetate or ClO ₄ ^– ).     

Studies on the equilibrium uptake of some metal ions on a mixed and doped hydrous oxide using radiotracers

A highly sensitive and rapid method has been developed for the extraction-spectrophotometric determination of ultra trace amounts of americium. Americium(III) is selectively extracted from 1–10M HNO₃ medium with a mixture of (0.3M HDEHP+0.1M P₂O₅), both dissolved in xylene, and finally estimated in the organic phase itself absorptiometrically employing Arsenazo-III as the chromogenic reagent. A 60% dioxaneethanol mixture was used for optium colour development. Beer's law is obeyed in the concentration range 0.1–0.7 g Am cm^–3 and as little as 0.11 g Am cm^–3 could be determined with a precision better than ±2%. The molar absorptivity based on Am content is (3.599±0.049)·10⁵ dm³·mol^–1·cm^–1 at 648 nm which is incidentally the highest value reported as yet for its determination. The optimum concentration range, evaluated by Ringbom's method is 0.1–0.6 ppm Am. Common contaminants such as Al³⁺, Co²⁺, Cr³⁺, Fe³⁺, Ni²⁺, Zr⁴⁺, F^–, NO₃ ^–, and SO ₄ ^2- in fairly large quantities and moderate amounts of Pu⁴⁺, Th⁴⁺ and UO ₂ ²⁺ cause no interference in the final assay. Colour development is almost instantaneous and its intensity remains virtually constant for at least 48 hours.     

Characteristics of an oxa-diamide–HNO3 extractant in the supercritical fluid extraction of uranium

An extractant is required in the recovery process to drive the uranium to a stage that enables it to be extracted using the extraction solvent. This paper proposes the composition of a composite extractant, N,N,N′,N′-tetrabutyl-3-oxapentane-diamide–HNO₃ (TBODA–HNO₃) as an extractant, to successfully achieve the objective using supercritical carbon dioxide (sc-CO₂). The composite TBODA–HNO₃ extractant has a chemical composition of TBODA(HNO₃)_1.0(H₂O)_1.5. The U(IV) in the UO₂ containing solid phase is directly oxidized to U(VI) in the form of $ {\rm UO}_{2}^{2 + } $ in sc-CO₂, which contains a CO₂-soluble TBODA–HNO₃ extractant at 200 atm and 50 °C. The resulting $ {\rm UO}_{2}^{2 + } $ /TBODA complex can be consequently extracted using acetone-modified sc-CO₂. The chemical composition of the $ {\rm UO}_{2}^{2 + } $ /TBODA complex, which can be extracted by nonpolar sc-CO₂, is proposed in the form of an ion pair: [UO₂(TBODA)₂]²⁺–2( $ {\rm NO}_{3}^{ - } $ ).     

Thermodynamic Modeling of Actinide Complexation with Acetate and Lactate at High Ionic Strength

The stability constants of NpO ₂ ⁺ , UO ₂ ²⁺ Am³⁺, and Th⁴⁺ with acetate and lactate anions has been measured in 0.3–5.0m NaCl media at 25°C by the solvent extraction technique. For the 1:1 complexation, the values of the stability constants increased in the order: NpO ₂ ⁺ < Am³⁺ < ₂ ²⁺ < Th⁴⁺, in accordance with the actinide charge density and reflecting the strongly ionic bonding of the complexes. The Pitzer ionic interaction parameters were calculated and used to estimate the thermodynamic stability constants at I = 0. Because our data were collected mainly in the high ionic strength region values of ⁽¹⁾ were estimated from values reported in the literature. For all stability constants the Pitzer model gives an excellent representation of the data using three interaction parameters ⁽⁰⁾, ⁽¹⁾, and COn leave from Institute of     

Study of variation in thermophysical properties of RE<Subscript>6</Subscript>UO<Subscript>12</Subscript>(s) along the lanthanide series

The novel ligand N,N,N′′′′,N′′′′-tetrabutyl-N′′′,N′′′-(N″,N″-diethyl)-ethidene bisdiglycolamide (TBEE-BisDGA) and other eight analogous extractants have been synthesized and characterized by NMR and HRMS. The solvent extraction of Th⁴⁺, UO₂ ²⁺ and Eu³⁺ from nitric acid solution using the above BisDGA extractants was investigated in 1-dodecanol at 30 ± 1 °C. The extractants exhibited higher affinity toward Th⁴⁺ than UO₂ ²⁺ and Eu³⁺ in the present system. The maximum value of separation factor SF _Th(IV)/U(VI) and SF _{Th(IV)/Eu(III)} is 78.5 and 53.3 respectively for TBEE-BisDGA, 88.1 and 69.5 respectively in the case of TB ^i-PE-BisDGA at 3 M HNO₃ solution.     

Role of stannic phosphate in the uptake of cations. Separation of zirconium from thorium and cadmium from indium at tracer concentrations

The uptake of Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺, Ag⁺, Ca²⁺, Cu²⁺, Sr²⁺, Cd²⁺, Ba²⁺, Pb²⁺, Sc³⁺, Co³⁺, Y³⁺, Sb³⁺, Tb³⁺, Zr⁴⁺ and Th⁴⁺ cations at very small concentrations has been studied over a column of stannic phosphate. The exchanger was prepared by mixing H₃PO₄, NaCl and SnCl₄ in suitable proportions and the ratio of PSn, in the product was obtained to be 1.96. Radiochemical separations of carrier free⁹⁵Zr from²³⁴Th and^115mIn, from¹¹⁵Cd have been carried out by adopting a simple chemical procedure over a column of stannic phosphate. The -spectrum analysis showed that the separated products are of high radionuclidic purity. The separation procedures took less than half an hour with quantitative yield.     

Adsorption of tracer cations,and the separation of carrier-free95Nb from95Zr,XU1 from U and45Ca from46Sc on titanium phosphate column

Titanium phosphate as ion exchanger for column operation has been prepared by mixing TiCl₄ and H₃PO₄ in suitable proportion. The ratio of titanium: phosphate was obtained to be 1:2.02. The uptake of Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺, Ag⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, Pb²⁺, Sc³⁺, Co³⁺, Y³⁺, Tb³⁺, Zr⁴⁺ and Th⁴⁺ cations at very small concentrations has been studied on this exchanger. The data indicated that the different cations are adsorbed in the exchanger by different mechanisms. Radiochemical separations of carrier free⁹⁵Nb from⁹⁵Zr, UX₁ from U and⁴⁵Ca from⁴⁶Sc have been achieved by adopting very simple chemical procedures through a column of titanium phosphate. The -spectrum of the separated⁹⁵Nb, UX₁ and⁴⁶Sc showed that the products are of high radionuclidic purity. The individual separation procedures took less than 20 min and the yields are quantitative.     

Extraction of californium/III/ from aqueous pyrophosphate and tripolyphosphate solutions with D2EHPA

Extraction of californium/III/ with di-/–2-ethylhexyl/ phosphoric acid /D2EHPA/ in heptane from pyrophosphate media is almost quantitative between pH 4 and 5. From tripolyphosphate media, however, two to three extractions are needed in the pH range of 3–5 to isolate Cf³⁺ completely. Reextraction experiments show that 1M H₂SO₄ can back-extract Cf³⁺ completely while two to three reextractions with 5M HNO₃ can only separate californium/III/. Reverse phase partition chromatography experiments were performed to recover 300 g of californium/III/. From slope analysis of the extraction data the composition of the extracted species has been found to be Cf/H₂P₂O₇/A.HA and Cf/H₄P₃O₁₀/.A₂.2HA from pyrophosphate and tripolyphosphate solutions, respectively, where D2EHPA is abbreviated as /HA/₂.     

Studies on the Uptake of Rare Earth Elements on Polyacrylamidoxime Resins from Natural Concentrate Leachate Solutions

Synthesis of poly(acrylamidoxime) resin from polyacrylonitrile performed with different crosslinking ratios 2, 5, and 10 wt% of divinylbenzene as crosslinking agent, using methylbenzoate and dioctylphthalate as pore producing solvent, the reaction mixture occurred under nitrogen. Studies carried out on diluted solution from rare earth elements (REEs) concentrate contains impurities as Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe³⁺, Al³⁺, Si⁴⁺, Th⁴⁺, U⁶⁺, Ca²⁺, and K⁺. Changing some parameters as pH of the solution, time of feeding and type of acid as HCl, HNO₃, H₂SO₄. The adsorption efficiency of resin is in the order pH 6 > pH 5 > pH 4 > pH 2 with excluding pH 6 due to the precipitation of some of REEs with the impurities and complete precipitation of Dy ion during pH adjustment, the adsorption in HNO₃ > HCl > H₂SO₄ media.     

Molecular mechanics,quantum mechanics,potentiometric, and conductometric studies on the complexes of some rare earth metals with 5‐azorhodanine derivatives

The geometry of metal ions (La³⁺, Ce³⁺, UO, and Th⁴⁺) complexes with 5‐azorhodanine derivatives was optimized at the level of molecular mechanics. Two stoichiometric ratios of metal to ligand (i.e., 1:1 and 1:2) were investigated. Tetracoordinate and hexacoordinate of each stoichiometric ratio have been studied. Effect of substitution in the ligand on the geometry of the complexes was discussed in the light of electron donating–accepting properties of these substituents. The influence of the nuclear effective charge of the central metal ions on the metal–ligand (M–L) bonding was discussed and the effect of the number of ligands on the M–L bond length was also discussed and correlated to the experimental results. The total energies of the different metal complexes were computed using the extended Huckel method. The effect of substituents in ligand, metal type, and stoichiometry of the complexes on the complex total energies were discussed. Stability constant of (La³⁺, Ce³⁺, UO, and Th⁴⁺) metal ions with 5‐azorhodanine derivaties have been determined potentiometrically in 0.1 M KCl and 50% (v/v) ethanol–water mixture. The order of the stability constants of the formed complexes was found to be La³⁺ < Ce³⁺ < UO < Th⁴⁺. The influence of substituents on the stability of the complexes was examined on the basis of electron‐repelling property of the substituent. The effect of temperature on the stability of the complexes formed was studied and the corresponding thermodynamic parameters (ΔG, ΔH, and ΔS) were derived and discussed. The stoichiometries of these complexes were determined conductometrically and indicated the formation of 1:1 and 1:2 (metal:ligand) complexes. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2003     

Tail-end purification of americium from plutonium loading effluents using a mixture of octyl (phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide and tri-N-butyl phosphate

The tail-end purification of Am from Pu loading effluents in 7.5M HNO₃ containing 160 mg l^–1 Am and 1.2 mg l^–1 Pu has been carried out. With 0.2M CMPO+1.2M TBP in dodecane as the extractant and stripping by 0.04M HNO₃+0.05M NaNO₂, the Pu level is brought down to 31.2 g l^–1. When the acidity was reduced to 4.2M HNO₃, one contact with 20% TLA/dodecane and subsequent extraction by a mixture of CMPO and TBP and stripping with 0.04M HNO₃+0.05M NaNO₂ gave Am samples without any detectable amounts of Pu. The recovery of Am was 90% by the first procedure and 98% by the second one.     

Separating Ag, B, Cd, Dy, Eu, and Sm in a Gd matrix using 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester extraction chromatography for ICP-AES analysis

The separation procedure for Ag, B, Cd, Dy, Eu and Sm as impurities in Gd matrix using ICP-AES technique with an extraction chromatographic column has been developed. The spectral interference of the Gd matrix on the elements was eliminated using a chromatography technique with 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (PC-88A) as the mobile phase and XAD-16 resin as the stationary phase. Ag⁺, B₄O₇²⁻, and Cd²⁺ were eluted with 0.1 M HNO₃, while rare earth ions were not. The best eluent for separating Eu and Sm in the Gd matrix was 0.3 M HNO₃. The limit of quantitation for these elements was 0.6-3.0 ng mL⁻¹. The recovery of Ag, B, and Cd was 90-104% using 0.1 M HNO₃ as the eluent, while that of Eu, Gd, and Sm ranged from 100 to 102% with 0.3 M HNO₃. Dy was recovered quantitatively with 4 M HNO₃. The relative standard deviation of the methods for a set of three replicates was between 1.0 and 15.4% for the synthetic and standard Gd solutions. The proposed separation procedure was used to measure Ag, B, Cd, Dy, Eu, and Sm in a standard Gd solution.     

Fluorogenic ratiometric dipodal optode containing imine-amide linkages: Exploiting subtle thorium (IV) ion sensing

The (13E,19E)-N1′,N3′-bis[4-(diethylamino)-2-hydroxybenzylidene]malonohydrazide (L) has been developed for the detection of Th⁴⁺ ions using dual channel signalling system. The UV–vis absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopic data revealed the formation of L–Th⁴⁺ complex in 1:1 equilibrium. The density functional theory (DFT) also confirms the optimum binding cavity for the recognition of metal ion. The binding constant computed from different mathematical models for an assembly of L–Th⁴⁺. The detection limit of L for Th⁴⁺ recognition is to a concentration down to 0.1 μM (0.023 μg g⁻¹). The present sensing system is also successfully applied for the detection of Th⁴⁺ ion present in soil near nuclear atomic plants.     

Complexing tendencies of UO 22+ and Th4+ in their mixed ligand complexes with aminopolycarboxylates and resorcinol or its derivatives

Formation contants (log K _MAL ^MA ) of mixed ligand complexes MAL, where M = UO ₂ ²⁺ or Th⁴⁺, A = IMDA, NTA, HEDTA, EDTA, CDTA or DTPA, and L = resorcinol (res), 2-methyl resorcinol (2-Me-res), 5-methyl resorcinol (5-Me-res) or 4-chloro resorcinol (4-Cl-res), have been determined pH-metrically by the Irving-Rossotti approach at 25°C and at an ionic strength,I = 0.2(moldm⁻³KNO₃). The observed stability sequences are IMDA > NTA > HEDTA > EDTA > CDTA > DTPA, and 4-Cl-res > 5-Me-res > 2-Me-res > res with respect to primary and secondary ligands, respectively. Th⁴⁺ forms more stable mixed complexes than UO ₂ ²⁺ . The A ΔlogK values are negative due mainly to the charge repulsion involved in the complexation MA + L⇋MAL.     

Thermodynamic modeling of actinide complexation with oxalate at high ionic strength

A geochemical model describing the solubility of actinides in underground water at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) Project is under development. The database for this model consists of standard chemical potentials and Pitzer model parameters for hundreds of species that may be present in the WIPP disposal room. Organic ligands used in separation and decontamination processes may be present in the nuclear wastes placed in the WIPP site and could have a significant impact on mobile actinide concentrations. In this work the ₁ and ₂ stability constants of NpO₂ ⁺, UO₂ ²⁺, Am³⁺ and Th⁴⁺ with the oxalate anion have been measured in 0.3–5.0M NaCl media at 25 °C by a solvent extraction technique. For the 1:1 complexation, the values of the stability constants increased in the order: NpO₂ ⁺<Am³⁺<UO₂ ²⁺<Th⁴⁺, in accordance with the actinide charge density and reflecting the strongly ionic bonding of the complexes. The Pitzer ionic interaction model was used to model the data. Because the data were collected mainly in the high ionic strength region, values of ⁽¹⁾ were estimated from these plus literature values. The Pitzer model gives a good representation of the data using three interaction parameters ⁽⁰⁾, ⁽¹⁾, and c.     

Surface characterization and thermodynamics of adsorption of Sr2+, Ce3+, Sm3+, Gd3+, Th4+, UO 2 2+ on activated charcoal from aqueous solution

Surface parameters of the activated charcoal were measured using precise instrumental techniques for dehydration, carbon content, trace metals impurities, anions, bulk, tap and true densities, surface area, pore volume, porosity and average particle diameter. The adsorption of Sr²⁺, Ce³⁺, Sm³⁺, Gd³⁺, Th⁴⁺ and UO ₂ ²⁺ ions on activated charcoal from aqueous solution was studied as a function of temperature. Thermodynamic parameters such as HH ⁰ and S ⁰ were calculated from the slopes and intercepts of the linear variation of lnK ₁ vs. 1/T, whereK ₃ is obtained from Langmuir equation. The results show endothermic heats of adsorption, but negative free energy values indicate that the adsorption process of metal ions on activated charcoal is favored at high temperature. The value of isosteric heat of adsorption, calculated from the Clausius-Clapeyron equation, shows that the surface of the activated charcoal is heterogeneous with respect to activity. A wavelength dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometer was used for measuring the concentration of metal ions.     

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.     

Studies on the Complexation Behavior of Thorium(IV). 1. Hydrolysis Equilibria

The stability constants of thorium(IV) hydrolysis species have been measured at15, 25, and 35°C (in 1.0 mol dm^–3 NaClO₄) using both potentiometry and solventextraction. The results indicate the presence of the monomeric speciesTh(OH)³⁺, Th(OH)²⁺ ₂, Th(OH)⁺ ₃, and Th(OH)₄, in addition to the polymericspecies Th₄(OH)^{8+ 8} and Th₆(OH)⁹⁺ ₁₅. The polymeric species were found to beimportant, although the total thorium concentration was limited to 0.01–0.1mmol-dm^–3. The solvent extraction measurements required the use of acetylacetone.As such, the stability constants of thorium(IV) with acetylacetone were alsomeasured using both potentiometry and solvent extraction. All logarithms of thestability constants were found to be linear functions of the reciprocal absolutetemperature indicating that H ^o and S^o of reaction are both independent oftemperature (over the temperature range examined in the study).     

Stability constants of thorium(IV) complexes with aryl-bis-(5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-4-pyrazolyl) methane ligands

Summary Stability constants of complexes of aryl-bis-(5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-4-pyrazolyl) methane [ArBPyM] derivatives with thorium(IV) ions were determined by the potentiometric method at 30°C and an ionic strength of 0.1 mol·dm^–3 (KNO₃) in 75% (v/v) dioxane-water. The evaluation of the titration data indicated that four kinds of complexes ([ThL]²⁺, [ThLOH]⁺, [ThL ₂], and [ThL(OH)₂]^2–) were formed. The formation constants for all [ThL]²⁺ and [ThL ₂] complexes have been calculated to compare these values with those previously reported [1, 2] with Ln³⁺ and UO ₂ ²⁺ metal ions [2, 3]. The probable ligand-bonding sites of the complexes are proposed. In addition, the applicability of theHammett equation for the correlation of the stability constants of [Th(IV)-ArBPyM] complexes are discussed.

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Stabilitätskonstanten von Thorium(IV)-Komplexen mit Aryl-bis-(5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-4-pyrazolyl)-methan-Liganden

Zusammenfassung Stabilitätskonstanten von Komplexen von Aryl-bis-(5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-4-pyrazolyl)-methan — Derivaten [ArBPyM] mit Thorium(IV) — Ionen wurden bei 30°C und einer Ionenstärke von 0.1 mol-dm^–3 (KNO₃) in 75% (v/v) Dioxan-Wasser potentiometrisch bestimmt. Die Auswertung der Titrationskurven zeigte, daß vier verschiedene Komplexe vorlagen ([ThL]²⁺, [ThLOH]⁺, [ThL ₂] und [ThL(OH)₂]²⁺). Die Bildungskonstanten aller [ThL]²⁺- und [ThL ₂]-Komplexe wurden berechnet, um sie mit den früher für Ln³⁺- und UO ₂ ²⁺ -Ionen publizierten zu vergleichen. Potentielle Bindungsstellen der Komplexe für Liganden werden vorgeschlagen. Zusätzlich wird die Anwendbarkeit derHammet-Beziehung auf die Korrelation der Stabilitätskonstanten von [Th(IV)-ArBPyM] — Komplexen diskutiert.