Colloidal forms of radionuclides and their separation from water solution

Colloidal properties of¹⁴⁴Ce(III),¹⁴⁷Pm(III),⁹¹Y(III), and other, radionuclides were determined from the course of their self-diffusion. A reduced self-diffusion indicated the formation of colloidal radionuclides. The decrease in the self-diffusion coefficient began from a certain value of pH, and a pH region of slowest self-diffusion existed for each of the radionuclides studies. The maximum formation of colloidal radionuclides may be assumed to lie in the range of these pH values. An increase in the rate of self-diffusion was observed with radionuclides in colloidal forms under the effect of gamma-radiation. The possibility of mutual interaction between radionuclides was also inferred from the course their self-diffusion. High effective sorption of¹⁴⁷Pm(III) was attained on hydrated ferric oxide in the pH range were hydrolytic products and colloidal forms of¹⁴⁷Pm(III) were formad to a large extent.     

Contribution to the study of the sorption of radionuclides on hydrated oxides

The mechanism of¹⁰⁶Ru(III),¹⁰⁶RuNO(II),¹⁴⁴Ce(III),¹⁴⁷Pm(III),⁸⁵Sr(II),¹³¹I⁻,³⁵SO ₄ ²⁻ , and H₂ ³²PO ₄ ²⁻ radionuclide sorption on hydrated ferrous, ferric, aluminium and chromic hydrated oxides was studied. The dependence of sorption on the pH has shown that in a certain range of pH values it is the ion exchange of the radionuclide for a proton or a hydroxyl group of the oxide that probably plays a decisive role in the sorption process. The sorption depends considerably on the pH in the whole range of studied, but its decrease with cations in alkaline media and its increase with I⁻ ion in acidic media does not agree with the above sorption mechanism. Similarly, the course of the dependence of sorption on the sorbent concentration does not indicate ion exchange to be the only mechanis, but it indicates a more complicated sorption process. Probably the sorption of colloidal forms of the radionuclides proceeds, too.     

Dimorphic cerium(III) oxoarsenate(III) Ce[AsO3]

Colourless, water- and air-stable single crystals of cerium(III) oxoarsenate(III) Ce[AsO₃] were prepared by the reaction of cerium metal (Ce) and arsenic sesquioxide (As₂O₃) in the presence of cesium chloride (CsCl) as fluxing agent at 750 °C in an evacuated silica ampoule. Ce[AsO₃] crystallizes monoclinically (a = 902.89(8), b = 782.54(7), c = 829.68(7) pm, β = 103.393(3)°, Z = 8) in the space group P2₁/c and is isotypic with α-Pb[SeO₃]. There are two crystallographically different Ce³⁺ positions. (Ce1)³⁺ is coordinated by nine oxygen atoms (d(Ce–O) = 244–286 pm) and (Ce2)³⁺ by only eight (d(Ce–O) = 239–273 pm). Both crystallographically different As³⁺ cations form discrete ψ¹ tetrahedra [AsO₃]³⁻ (d(As–O) = 174–179 pm), which are attached to the Ce³⁺ cations via edges and corners. The second monoclinic modification of Ce[AsO₃] with the lattice parameters a = 439.32(4), b = 529.21(5), c = 617.34(6) pm and β = 105.369(3)° with Z = 2 was obtained by high-pressure synthesis (11 GPa, 1200 °C) and has both a higher density (6.31 vs. 6.13 g · cm⁻³) and a higher calculated Madelung part of the lattice energy (15,155 vs. 15,132 kJ · mol⁻¹). It adopts the space group P2₁/m, crystallizing isotypically with La[AsO₃], β-Pb[SeO₃], Pb[SO₃] (scotlandite) or K[ClO₃] and exhibits nine-fold coordinated Ce³⁺ cations exclusively (d(Ce–O) = 254–287 pm) along with tripodal [AsO₃]³⁻ anions (d(As–O) = 175–176 pm). Raman spectroscopy on both phases of Ce[AsO₃] shows stretching vibrations between 769 and 731 cm⁻¹ as well as asymmetric vibrations in the range of 659–617 cm⁻¹. The symmetric bending mode vibrations emerge in an interval from 340 to 410 cm⁻¹ and the asymmetric bending modes range between 230 and 290 cm⁻¹.     

Chemical study on the separation and purification of promethium-147

A chemical process for the separation of¹⁴⁷Nd/¹⁴⁷Pm from fission products of synthetic radioactive waste solution has been developed. The process includes: (1) denitration, (2) removal of high concentration of uranium by 30% TBP/kerosene extraction, (3) removal of⁹⁵Nb,¹⁰³Ru,¹³⁷Cs and part of⁹⁰Sr by 50% TBP/dodecane extraction, (4) separation of¹⁴⁷Nd/¹⁴⁷Pm from part of⁹⁰Sr and⁹⁵Zr by oxalic acid precipitation, and (5) removal of¹⁴⁴Ce by mixture of 0.4M D2EHPA and 0.2M TBP extraction. Experimental results indicate that the recovery of¹⁴⁷Nd/¹⁴⁷Pm in the final separated solution is about 90%. The purification of¹⁴⁷Nd and¹⁴⁷Pm from some other rare earth elements, viz.¹⁵³Sm,¹⁵⁴Eu and¹⁴⁴Ce was further investigated by using a Dowex 50W×8 ion-exchanger. Parameters of flow rate, eluent concentration and pH were examined. The results show that the recovery and radionuclide purity of¹⁴⁷Nd plus¹⁴⁷Pm under the present separation conditions are 77.8% and 98.6% for diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) and 87.3% and 99.5% for nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), respectively.     

Synergistic extraction of Ce(III), Eu(III) and Tm(III) with a mixture of picrolonic acid and benzo-15-crown-5 in chloroform

Summary The synergistic mixture comprising picrolonic acid (HPA) and benzo-15-crown-5 (B15C5) in chloroform has been used for the extraction of Ce(III), Eu(III) and Tm(III) as representatives of lanthanide(III) ions from pH 1-2 solutions having ionic strength of 0.1 mol^. dm^-3(K⁺/H⁺, Cl^-). The composition of the extracted species has been determined as M(PA)₃^. nB15C5 where M is Ce, Eu and Tm and n=1 or 2. The influence of various anions and cations on the extraction of these ions has also been studied and only oxalate, cyanide and tartrate have some deleterious effect. The extraction equilibrium constants have been evaluated and discussed.     

Solid compounds of Ce(III), Pr(III), Nd(III), and Sm(III) ions with chrysin

New solid amorphous compounds of Ce(III), Pr(III), Nd(III), and Sm(III) with 5,7-dihydroxyflavone (L,chrysin) were obtained. Their composition and some physicochemical properties were studied by elementary analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, magnetic measurements, ¹H NMR, UV/Vis, and infrared spectroscopies. Upon heating, the hydrated compounds [LnL₂(H₂O)₂Cl]·2H₂O decomposed to the oxides. Structure of the compounds was elucidated on the basis of obtained results. It was found that chelation of the metal ion occurs at the 5-hydroxy-4-keto site.     

Extraction of certain actinide and lanthanide elements from different acidic media by polyurethane foams loaded with di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (HDEHP)

The extraction of cerium(III) from weakly acidic chloride solutions by HDEHP-nitrobenzene-loaded polyurethane foams could be analyzed quantitatively in terms of the equation: log(9.056 D_c)=log K_c+2.14 log (C_d?6C_c)+3 pH+log f_c where D_c is the distribution ratio of cerium(III) between the foam and aqueous phases, C_d and C_c are the total HDEHP and Ce(III) concentrations on the foam, respectively, log f_c=[Ce³⁺]_(sq)/[ΣCe(III)]_(aq), and K_c is the equilibrium constant of the equation: Ce _(aq) ³⁺ +2.14(HX)_2.8(o) ? ? CeX₆·H_3(o)+3H _(aq) ⁺ . Values of K_c under the different extraction conditions tested are given.     

Stability constants of iron(III)-8-hydroxyquinoline complexes

Spectrophotometric determination of the formation constants of iron(III)-8-hydroxyquinoline complexes in 0.1 M sodium perchlorate solution at 25° gave the values K₁=[FeOx²⁺]/([Fe³⁺][Ox^-])=4.9·10¹³, K₂=[FeOx₂⁺]/([FeOx²⁺][Ox^-])=4.2·10¹² and K₃=[FeOx₃]/([FeOx₂⁺][Ox^-])=3.9·10¹⁰. FeOx₂OH and FeOx(OH)₂ are obtainable as solid phases. FeOx₃ (K_sp=3·10^-44, intrinsic solubility 1.6·10^-7 M) dissolves in basic solutions to form FeOx₂(OH)₂ -In a solution saturated with FeOx³, ([FeOx₂(OH)₂^-][Ox^-])/[OH^-]²=7.7·10^-5.     

Sorption behavior of Am(III) onto granite

Sorption behavior of Am(III) onto granite was investigated. The distribution coefficient (K _d ) of Am(III) onto granite was determined in the solution of which pH was ranged from 2.9 to 11.4 and ionic strength was set at 10⁻² and 10⁻¹. TheK _d values were found to increase with increasing pH and with decreasing ionic strength. The obtained data were successfully analyzed by applying an electrical double layer model. The optimum parameter values of the double layer electrostatics and adsorption reactions were obtained, and the selective adsorption behavior of Am(III) onto the granite was discussed.     

Sorption of iron(III) in ionic and colloidal states on iron(III) oxide deposited on a silica gel sufrace

The sorption of iron(III) in ionic and colloidal states on iron(III) oxide deposited on a silica gel surface has been studied as a function of pH of aqueous solution by batch equilibrations. The behaviour of Fe³⁺ and colloidal Fe(III) on the sorbent column has also been investigated. Conditions for sorption of iron from aqueous solutions are given. The colloidal iron(III) can be quantitatively separated from Fe³⁺ on the sorbent column under given experimental conditions.     

Study in Aqueous Solutions of Bioactive 2-Pyridineformamide-Derived Thiosemicarbazones and Their Iron(II) and Iron(III) Complexes

The binary systems of iron(II) and iron(III) with 2-pyridineformamide thiosemicarbazone (H2Am4DH) and its N(4)-methyl (H2Am4Me), N(4)-ethyl (H2Am4Et) and N(4)-phenyl (H2Am4Ph) derivatives were studied in aqueous solution by pH-potentiometry, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and EPR spectra. The formation constants of the iron(II) and iron(III) complexes were calculated from potentiometric and electronic absorption data at 25 °C and ionic strength μ = 0.1 mol·L^?1 using the HYPERQUAD program. The values of the formation constant of the FeL species decrease in the order Fe:H2Am4DH > Fe:H2Am4Me ≈ Fe:H2Am4Et > Fe:H2Am4Ph in the same way as the basicity of the ligands. The species distribution diagrams show that the species FeL₂ predominates at physiological pH in the Fe:H2Am4DH, Fe:H2Am4Me and Fe:H2Am4Et systems. The similar EPR spectra of these iron(III) binary systems indicate the same coordination spheres around the metallic center and the EPR g values suggests that the unpaired electron is in the d_xy orbital, indicating a d _xz ² d _yz ² d _xy ¹ ground state configuration for the complexes. For the Fe(III):H2Am4Ph system the EPR results indicated dimerization and antiferromagnetic interaction due to the presence of only one thiosemicarbazone ligand around the metallic center.     

Ionic liquid modified silica gel for the sorption of americium(III) and europium(III) from dilute nitric acid medium

The imidazolium bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate moiety was chemically attached on silica gel by chemical modification. The resulting product ([SG-Im]⁺ [DEHP]^?) was characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and elemental analysis. The sorption behavior of Am(III) and Eu(III) on [SG-Im]⁺ [DEHP]^? was studied from dilute nitric acid medium for the separation of Am(III) and Eu(III) from aqueous waste. The effect of time, concentrations of nitric acid and europium in aqueous phase on the distribution coefficient (K _d) was studied. The study indicated the possibility of using modified silica for the separation of Eu(III) from Am(III) with high separation factors (>50 at 0.1 M HNO₃).     

Sorption behavior of Sn(II) onto Haro river sand from aqueous acidic solutions

The sorption behavior of Sn(II) onto Haro river sand has been examined with respect to nature of electrolyte, agitation time, dosage of sorbent and concentration of sorbate. Maximum sorption (95.5%) has been achieved from 0.034M hydrochloric acid solution after equilibrating sorbate (2·10⁻⁵M) and sorbent (50 mg) for 120 minutes at aV/W ratio of 90 cm³·g⁻¹. The kinetic data have been subjected to Morris-Weber and Lagergren equations. The kinetics of sorption proceeds a two stage process consisting of a relatively slow initial uptake followed by a much rapid increase in the sorption. The rate constant of intraparticle transport, K_d, comes out to be 8.75·10⁻⁸ mol·g⁻¹·min^−1/2 and the first order rate constant for sorption is 0.0416 min⁻¹. The sorption data of Sn(II) onto Haro river sand followed Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) type isotherms. The Langmuir constant,Q, related to sorption capacity and,b, related to sorption energy are computed to be 10.6±1.1 μmol·g⁻¹ and 1123±137 dm³·mol⁻¹, respectively. The D-R isotherm yields the values ofC _m=348±151 μmol·g⁻¹ and β=−0.01044±0.0008 mol²·kJ⁻² and ofE=6.9±0.3 kJ·mol⁻¹. In all three isotherms correlation factor (γ) is ≥0.99. The influence of common anions and cations on the sorption has been investigated. Zn(II), Mg(II), oxalate, Pb(II), Mn(II) and tartrate reduce the sorption significantly whereas Fe(II) causes substantial increase in the sorption. It is essential that all ions causing a decrease in the sorption of Sn(II) must be absent from the sorptive solution otherwise low sorption yields would result.     

Thermogravimetric and spectroscopic studies on La(III) and Ce(III) complexes with some thio-schiff bases

Solid complexes of five derivatives of thio-Schiff bases with La(III) and Ce(III) ions were prepared and characterized by elemental and thermogravimetric analyses. The suggested general formula of the solid complexes is [ML₂(H₂O)X]·2H₂O, whereM=trivalent lanthanide ion,L=Schiff base andX=Cl^? or ClO ₄ ^? . Information about the water of hydration, the coordinated water molecules, the coordination chemistry and the thermal stability of these complexes was obtained and is discussed. Additionally, a general scheme of thermal decomposition of the lanthanide-Schiff base complexes is proposed.     

Chromatographic isolation of144Ce and144Pr from the wastes of irradiated uranium treatment

A two-step chromatographic technique was elaborated to isolate¹⁴⁴Ce,¹⁴⁴Pr from a solution of uranium fission products in 6M HNO₃. The oxidation to Ce(III) by bromate and selective adsorption of¹⁴⁴Ce(IV) on anion exchange column were used to concentrate and purify¹⁴⁴Ce. Some impurities of uranium,⁹⁵Zr,⁹⁵Nb,¹⁰⁶Ru remain in¹⁴⁴Ce solution after the first step of its isolation. The final purification is achieved by passing the 6M HNO₃ solution of¹⁴⁴Ce(IV) through the HDEHP-coated teflon column. The decontamination factors of¹⁴⁴Ce from main fission products are given. 7.2 mCi of (¹⁴⁴Ce+¹⁴⁴Pr) are recovered from each gram of irradiated uranium trioxide with the yield greater than 99%. An improvement of known generator was carried out to elute a purer¹⁴⁴Pr from maternal¹⁴⁴Ce(IV) adsorbed on the anion exchange column.     

Preparation of sol–gel materials doped with ionic liquid and extractant for cerium(III) extraction

Silica materials (ILDEHPASGs) consisting of ionic liquids and di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (DEHPA) for Ce(III) extraction was prepared by a sol–gel method using the hydrophobic ionic liquid 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C₈mim]PF₆) as porogen and solvent medium. The ILDEHPASGs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area, Fourier transform infrared, and thermogravimetric analyses. The results indicated the doping of DEHPA and [C₈mim]PF₆ in ILDEHPASG-3 would evidently affect the formation of porous structure of sol–gel materials. ILDEHPASG-3 also possessed more channels and macropores than the blank sorbent; the surface area and pore volume of ILDEHPASG-3 were 409 m² g^?1 and 0.444 cm³ g^?1, respectively. [C₈mim]PF₆ and DEHPA were only physically confined or entrapped in the growing covalent silica network rather than chemically bound to the inorganic matrix. The majority of [C₈mim]PF₆ and DEHPA were stably immobilized in the gel. Then, the effects of contact time and pH were determined. The results showed the sorption of Ce(III) strongly depended on the contact time and pH, and ILDEHPASGs had high sorption ability for Ce(III). The results were analyzed by both Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models, and the latter was found to give a better fit.     

The distribution coefficient of60Co in sediments from the Solway Firth, UK

The behaviour of⁶⁰Co in sea water and sediments typical of the Solway Firth has been investigated. The distribution coefficient,K _d, of⁶⁰Co²⁺ in sediments was determined using the batch sorption method and theK _d variation with aqueous phase composition, sediment type and pH has been studied. Adsorption of⁶⁰Co by sediments was found to be highest in de-ionised water and lower in NaCl solution (31 salinity). Adsorption was lowest in natural sea water, where theK _d range was 2,270 to 2,750. Variation ofK _d with sediment grain size was observed. It was shown that⁶⁰Co adsorption was strongly dependent on pH in de-ionised water, with less variation in NaCl solution. Variance of⁶⁰CoK _d values were lowest in sea water in the range pH 5–8 indicating a more conservative behaviour of⁶⁰Co than previously recognised. Hence⁶⁰Co dispersion will be predominantly govemed by tidal behaviour.     

Sorption of [Fe(CN)6]3− and [Fe(CN)6]4− ions on the surface of Fe(III), Cr(III), and Zr(IV) oxyhydroxide hydrogels from aqueous solutions

The sorption of [Fe(CN)₆]^3? and [Fe(CN)₆]^4? anions on the surface of Fe(III), Cr(III), and Zr(IV) oxyhydroxide hydrogels at various pH values of hydrogel precipitation from solutions without a support electrolyte and from NaCl and Na₂SO₄ solutions with an ionic strength of 0.5 was studied. It was found that isotherms of sorption of [Fe(CN)₆]^3? and [Fe(CN)₆]^4? anions from solutions without a support electrolyte and from NaCl solutions and those of sorption of [Fe(CN)₆]^4? from Na₂SO₄ solutions are described by the Langmuir equation. It was established that the sulfate background suppresses the sorption of [Fe(CN)₆]^3? on Fe(III) and Zr(IV) oxyhydroxides. Both anions are sorbed only when the surface of the oxyhydroxides is charged positively; the Langmuir equation parameters A _max and K tend to decrease to the point of zero charge as the pH value of oxyhydroxide precipitation increases. An electrostatic mechanism of the sorption of [Fe(CN)₆]^3? and [Fe(CN)₆]^4? anions was suggested.     

Sorption of Am(III) on natural sediment: experiment and modeling

Release of long-lived radioactivity to the aquatic bodies from various nuclear fuel cycle related operations is of great environmental concern in view of their possible migration into biosphere. This migration is significantly influenced by various factors such as pH, complexing ions present in aquatic environment and sorption of species involving radionuclides on the sediments around the water bodies. ^241/243Am are two major radionuclides which can contribute a great deal to radioactivity for several thousand years. In the present study, ²⁴¹Am sorption on natural sediment collected from site near a nuclear installation in India, has been investigated under the varying conditions of pH (3–10) and ionic strength [I = 0.01–1 M (NaClO₄)]. The sorption of Am increased with pH of the aqueous medium [10% (pH 2) to ~100% (pH 10)], which was explained in terms of the increased negative surface charge on the sediment particles. There was marginal variation in Am(III) sorption with increased ionic strength (within error limits) of the aqueous medium suggesting inner-sphere complexation/sorption process. Sediment was characterized for its elemental composition and structural phases using Energy Dispersive X-Ray (SEM-EDX) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) techniques. Zeta-potential measurement at I = 0.1 M (NaClO₄) suggested that Point of Zero Charge (pH_PZC) was ~2, indicating the presence of silica as major component in the sediment. Kurabtov plot using sorption data as a function of pH at fixed I = 0.1 M (NaClO₄) indicated the presence of multiple Am(III) species present on the surface. Potentiometric titration of the suspension indicated the presence of mineral oxide like behavior and assuming a generic nature (≡XOH) for all types of surface sites, protonation–deprotonation constants and total number of sites have been obtained. The sorption data has been modeled using 2-pK Diffuse Double Layer Surface Complexation Model (DDL-SCM). ≡XOAm²⁺ has been identified as the main species responsible for the sorption profile.     

Sorption of chromium(VI) and chromium(III) on aluminium hydroxide

Factors that influence the sorption of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) on aluminium hydroxide were investigated. The sorption of chromates decreases as the pH of the suspension increases. The mechanism of CrO ₄ ^2– sorption was interpreted in terms of reactions between chromates and –OH and/or H₂O groups at the hydroxide/liquid interface. It has been shown that chromates are more tightly sorbed on aluminium hydroxide compared to other anions, e.g. chlorides. On the other hand, specifically absorbed anions, such as molybdates, compete strongly with chromates for the sorption sites. The sorption of chromium(III) increases with the pH of the suspension. Also, the sorption of chromium(III) is suppressed in the presence of citrate ions. The best conditions for the fixation of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) by aluminium hydroxide are presented.