Tremendous impact of substituent group on the extraction and selectivity to Am(III) over Eu(III) by diaryldithiophosphinic acids: experimental and DFT analysis

Comparative extraction of Am³⁺ over Eu³⁺ from nitric acid media by three dithiophosphinic acids (L) bearing different substituent aryl groups was studied. Within the experimental pH range, the distribution ratio of Am³⁺ and Eu³⁺ increases with the increase of pH due to deprotonation of the acidic extractant. Both the extraction and separation ability toward Am³⁺/Eu³⁺ by these extractants were affected drastically by the substituent aryl groups. The bis-phenyl substituted extractant shows almost no ability to extract and separate Am³⁺ from Eu³⁺, while bis(ortho-trifluoromethylphenyl) dithiophosphinic acid has the optimum extraction and separation capabilities. To help reveal the complexation and extraction behavior, the structure and bonding characters of neutral ML₃ (M?=?Am or Eu) complexes as well as the biphasic extraction reaction were studied by density functional theory (DFT). The conduct-like screening model implicit solvation model was used to simulate the extraction reaction in the aqueous-toluene biphasic system. The calculated sequence of the Gibbs free energy difference of extraction (ΔΔG ^Am/Eu_ext ) is consistent with the experimental results.

     

Extraction of Americium(III) and Europium(III) with Two Open-Chain Crown Ethers of Amide Type

The extraction of Am³⁺ and Eu³⁺ from aqueous picric acid solution by N, N-dinaphthyl-N, N-diphenyl-3,6-dioxaoctanediamide (L^I) and 1, 1-(3, 6, 9-trioxaundecanedionyl)diphenothiazine (L^II) was investigated by a radioactive tracer technique. Extraction distribution ratios of Am³⁺ and Eu³⁺ have been measured as a function of pH, picric acid concentration, extractant concentration, diluent and temperature. The extraction of Am³⁺ is preferred to that of Eu³⁺ for both L^I and L^II, and the latter gives larger separation factor than the former. The equilibrium constants and thermodynamic parameters of extraction reactions were also calculated.     

Magnesium ionophore III as an effective receptor for trivalent europium and americium

Solvent extraction of microamounts of trivalent europium and americium into nitrobenzene by using a synergistic mixture of hydrogen dicarbollylcobaltate (H⁺B^?) and magnesium ionophore III (L) was studied. The equilibrium data were explained assuming that the species HL⁺, \( \text{HL}_{2}^{ + } , \) \( {\text{ML}}_{2}^{3 + } , \) and \( {\text{ML}}_{3}^{3 + } \) (M³⁺ = Eu³⁺, Am³⁺; L = magnesium ionophore III) are extracted into the nitrobenzene phase. The values of extraction and stability constants of the cationic complex species in nitrobenzene saturated with water were determined and discussed.     

Structural influences on the lanthanide-actinide selectivity of some aminocarboxylates

Data for the resolution of americium from europium and terbium using 2,2′-diaminodiethylether-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetate and 1,5-diaminopentane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetate are reported along with values of the formation constants of the La-Lu and Y chelates of the latter. It is shown that the minimum single-stage separation factor for Am³⁺ from Ln³⁺ cations, using 2,2′-diaminodiethylether-N,N,N′,-N′-tetraacetate with Dowex 50 resin, exceeds 1.7 for all Am-Ln pairs, and runs as high as 350 in the case of Am³⁺, La³⁺. The minimum of 1.7 occurs at Eu³⁺ in the lanthanon sequence. A novel separation of Am³⁺, Cm³⁺ and heavier actinons from each other and from all the lanthanons and yttrium appears to be feasible.     

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 ^– ).     

Reduction of Eu3 + to Eu2 + in Al-Codoped Silica Glasses Fabricated by the Sol-Gel Technique and CO2-Laser Processing

The spectroscopic properties of europium in aluminium codoped silica glasses produced by the sol-gel technique have been studied with respect to the dopant concentrations and the thermal processing applied to the samples. After thermal annealing at temperatures up to 950_°C the bright red fluorescence around 613 nm characteristic for the trivalent europium ions (Eu^{3 +}) has been observed. The lifetime was measured to be 0.1–2.4 ms depending on dopant concentrations and thermal treatment. Subsequent CO₂-laser processing in air (short time remelting) gave rise to a bright blue fluorescence consisting of two broad bands, lying around 450 and 490 nm, with their peak position depending on the ratio between the aluminium and europium concentrations. The fluorescence lifetimes were found to be shorter than 1 s. This blue fluorescence is attributed to the divalent europium ion (Eu^{2 +}), leading to the conclusion that the CO₂-laser processing of europium doped alumina-silica glasses resulted in the reduction of the trivalent to the divalent europium ion. Laser processing could therefore be a valid alternative to conventional thermal annealing for the generation of Eu^{2 +} in alumina-silica glasses.     

Synthesis and spectral characteristics of Sr2Y8(SiO4)6O2: Eu polycrystals

Spectral-luminescent characteristics of Sr₂Y₈(SiO₄)₆O₂: Eu powder crystal phosphor with the apatite structure and high-intensity luminescence of Eu³⁺ ions have been studied. The charge state of europium in the samples has been characterized by means of X-ray L₃-adsorption spectroscopy. It was established that Eu³⁺ forms two types of optical centers. Besides, luminescence of Eu²⁺ions was found. Reduction Eu³⁺→Eu²⁺ was considered, which may be due to vacancy formation in the 4f crystal lattice position and to negative charge transfer by this vacancy to two ions. Thus, in the silicate lattice there exist inhomogeneously distributed oxygen-deficient centers, which are responsible for nonradiative transfer of excitation energy to Eu³⁺ and Eu²⁺ ions. To study electron-vibrational interactions in the crystal phosphor samples, their IR and Raman spectra were examined. In the luminescence spectrum of Eu²⁺, a series of low-intensity bands caused by interaction of the 4f⁶5d state of Eu²⁺ with silicate lattice vibrations was observed.     

Extraction of europium and americium into nitrobenzene by using synergistic mixture of hydrogen dicarbollylcobaltate and tetraisopropyl methylene diphosphonate

Extraction of microamounts of europium and americium by a nitrobenzene solution of hydrogen dicarbollylcobaltate (H⁺B^?) in the presence of tetraisopropyl methylene diphosphonate [T(iPr)MDP, L] has been investigated. The equilibrium data have been explained assuming that the complexes HL⁺, HL₂ ⁺, ML₂ ³⁺, ML₃ ³⁺ and ML₄ ³⁺ (M³⁺ = Eu³⁺, Am³⁺) are extracted into the organic phase. The values of extraction and stability constants of the species in nitrobenzene saturated with water have been determined. It was found that the stability constants of the corresponding complexes EuL _n ³⁺ and AmL _n ³⁺, where n = 2, 3, 4 and L is T(iPr)MDP, in water-saturated nitrobenzene are comparable.     

Complexation of Eu3+ and Am3+ with soil humic acid extracted from Okchon Basin of Korean Peninsula

The complexation of Eu³⁺ and Am³⁺ ions with the humic acids has been investigated at various pH (4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.4) in 0.1M NaClO₄ solution using solvent extraction technique. Two humic acids are used in this study: humic acid extracted from the soil of Taejon on the Okchon Basin of Korea (TJHA) and commercially available one from Aldrich Chemical Co. (AHA). The total carboxylate group concentrations were determined to be 3.58 meq/g and 4.59 meq/g for Taejon and Aldrich humic acids, respectively. The conditional stability constants (log ₁ and log ₂), dependent on the pH of the solution, of the complexes of Eu³⁺ and Am³⁺ ions with the humic acids have been determined at the ionic medium of 0.1M NaClO₄. The values of stability constants with the degree of ionization of TJHA for Eu and Am complexes are quite well agreed with those of Lake Bradford humic acid (LBHA), indicating that structural characteristics of TJHA and LBHA may be quite similar to one another.     

Rare-Earth Actived Sol-Gel Films for Scintillator Applications

Recently, there has been a growth of interest in new phosphors preparation for high resolution X-rays imaging systems. Sol-gel method has been used to synthesize europium doped gadolinium and lutetium oxide films. Structural and optical results are investigated and discussed on both Gd₂O₃:Eu³⁺ (5 mol%) and Lu₂O₃:Eu³⁺ (5 mol%). Those films are crystallized into cubic phase and present a density of 7.1 g/cm³ and 8.4 g/cm³ for Gd₂O₃:Eu³⁺ and Lu₂O₃:Eu³⁺ respectively. Room temperature emission spectra using an excitation of 468 nm was used to obtain the intense red emission ⁵D₀ ⁷F₂ (611 nm) of Eu³⁺. Scintillation properties at 611 nm are finally proved using X-rays excitation.     

Liquid-liquid extraction of uranium(VI) by Cyanex 301/alamine 308 and their mixtures with TBP/DDSO

Quantitative extraction of uranium(VI) is observed from 0.2M HCl by 5% (v/v) Cyanex 301. The extraction decreases with increasing acid concentration. Mixtures of Cyanex 301 with tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP), didecyl sulfoxide (DDSO) and Alamine 308 result in significant synergism in the extraction process, where a species of the type UO₂R₂. L is proposed to be extracted [RH=Cyanex 301 and L=TBP, DDSO or Alamine 308]. Significant extraction of uranium(VI) by 5% (v/v) Alamine 308 is observed at and above 2M HCl, which increases with further increase in acidity attaining a maximum at 6M, after which a slight decrease in extration is observed. Mixtures of Alamine 308 with TBP or DDSO result in a synergism, where a species of the type (R ₃ NH)₂ UO₂Cl₄. Lis extracted. [R ₃ N=Alamine 308, L=TBP or DDSO]. Mixtures of Alamine 308 and Cyanex 301 at 2M HCl result in a profound antagonism in the extraction of uranium(VI).     

Radioluminescence of Europium(III) in POCl3–SnCl4–235UO2+ 2–Eu3+, and D2O–235UO2+ 2–Eu3+ Solutions

Results of studying the spectral and luminescent properties of Eu³⁺ ions upon homogeneous excitation of POCl₃–SnCl₄–^-UO²⁺ ₂–Eu³⁺ and D₂O–²³⁵UO²⁺ ₂–Eu³⁺ solutions by -particles are presented. It was found that the radioluminescence intensity of Eu³⁺ ions in both solvents increases proportionally to the energy input by -particles. The yield of radioluminescence photons from europium ions in the POCl₃–SnCl₄–UO²⁺ ₂–Eu³⁺ solutions is more than nine times as high as that in D₂O–UO²⁺ ₂–Eu³⁺. The radiation-chemical yields of excited ⁵ D ₀ states of Eu³⁺ ions are 0.74 ± 0.07 and 0.18 ± 0.02 ions/100 eV in POCl₃–SnCl₄–UO²⁺ ₂–Eu³⁺ and D₂O–UO²⁺ ₂–Eu³⁺ solutions, respectively.     

Complexes of Rare Earths and Dipicolinato Ions Encapsulated in X- and Y-zeolites: Luminescence Properties

The complexes {Ln(DP)}Z where Ln³⁺ = La³⁺ or Eu³⁺, DP is the dipicolinate ion (2,6)-pyridine dicarboxylate: C₅H₃N(COO^-)₂ and Z = one of the faujasite-type X or Y zeolites have been synthesized and investigated by XRD, Raman and IR spectroscopy, and Eu³⁺ luminescence spectroscopy. The rare earth complexes are synthesized inside the super-cages of the zeolites; the degree of complexation never exceeds1DP/1Ln. Only the Ln ions, which are in the super-cages, may be complexed. Luminescent europium complexes encapsulated in zeolite matrices were obtained. The ⁵D₀ F_J luminescence observed under excitation into the lowest-energy ligand-centered absorption band (275 nm)indicates that a DP to Eu energy transfer occurs in these systems. The complex versus the zeolite framework conformations influence the europium emission characteristics: the transfer is more efficient when the complexed europium [Eu(DP)]⁺ is directly bonded to the framework oxygen atoms rather than to a residual water molecule.     

Extraction of actinides and fission products from salt solutions using polyethylene glycols (PEGs)

The extraction behavior of several metal ions viz., Am³⁺, Eu³⁺, UO₂ ²⁺, Th⁴⁺, Sr²⁺ and Cs⁺ was investigated from sulphate medium employing phosphotungstic acid (PTA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG). The influence of various parameters such as pH, PTA concentration, PEG concentration and salt concentration was studied. The order of extraction followed the trend: Am³⁺>Eu³⁺>>Th⁴⁺>UO₂ ²⁺>Sr²⁺>Cs⁺ which deviate significantly from the reported order with conventional solvents. The relatively poor extraction of UO₂ ²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Cs⁺ was ascribed to their lack of interaction with the phosphotungstate anion. The separation behaviour of Am³⁺ vis-a-vis Eu³⁺ was also investigated under different experimental conditions.     

Site selection spectroscopy of SiO2:Eu3+ gels

Silica gels doped with Eu³⁺ ions were studied at temperatures between 10 K and 300 K by site selection spectroscopy in samples heated up to 200°C. The ⁵D₀ ⁷F₀ transition shows internal structures due to the different environments of the europium ions. Lifetimes, energy levels and homogeneous linewidths are site dependent. In the wet gel the Eu³⁺ ions prefer a liquid-like environment and only when the liquid is removed by heat treatment, the ion is linked more strongly to the silica network.     

Extraction of microamounts of europium and americium by using hydrogen dicarbollylcobaltate in the presence of dibutyl diethylcarbamoylmethylene phosphonate

Extraction of microamounts of europium and americium by a nitrobenzene solution of hydrogen dicarbollylcobaltate (H⁺B⁻) in the presence of dibutyl diethylcarbamoylmethylene phosphonate (DBDECMP, L) has been investigated. The equilibrium data have been explained assuming that the complexes HL⁺, HL₂²⁺ ML₃³⁺ and ML₄³⁺ (M³⁺ = Eu³⁺, Am³⁺) are extracted into the organic phase. The values of extraction and stability constants of the species in nitrobenzene saturated with water have been determined.     

Organophosphinic,phosphonic acids and their binary mixtures as extractants for molybdenum(VI) and uranium(VI) from aqueous HCl media

Extraction studies of uranium(VI) and molybdenum(VI) with organophosphoric, phosphinic acid and its thiosubstituted derivatives have been carried out from 0.1–1.0M HCl solutions. The extracted species are proposed to be UO₂R₂ and MoO₂ CIR on the basis of slope analysis for uranium(VI) and molybdenum(VI), respectively. The extraction efficiencies of PC-88A, Cyanex 272, Cyanex 301 and Cyanex 302 in the extraction of molybdenum(VI) and uranium(VI) are compared. Synergistic effects have been studied with binary mixtures of extractants. Separation of molybdenum(VI) from uranium(VI) is feasible by Cyanex 301 from 1M HCl, the separation factor log being 2.3.     

Extraction chromatographic study on the separation of Am<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript> using ethyl-BTP as the extractant

Ethyl-substituted bis-triazinylpyridine (Et-BTP), a nitrogen containing soft-donor extractant, was used in investigations pertaining to the separation of Am³⁺ and Eu³⁺ from dilute nitric acid feed solutions by extraction chromatography using XAD-4 as the inert support, chlorinated dicarbollide as the modifier and 2-nitrophenyloctylether (NPOE) as the diluent. After carrying out a series of experiments, the optimum composition of the extractant mixture for the resin was found out to be 0.1 M Et-BTP and 0.025 M CCD in NPOE. Separation factor values were encouraging to carry out subsequent batch uptake studies at varying nitrate ion concentration which indicated favourable separation behaviour up to NaNO₃ concentration of 2 M. Column studies have been carried out and conditions for elution and separation of Am³⁺ from Eu³⁺ have been found out. Long term stability of the resin was also investigated.     

Energy Transfer Between Eu3+ Ions and CdS Quantum Dots in Sol-Gel Derived CdS/SiO2 : Eu3+ Gel

We have investigated the energetic correlation between rare-earth ions and semiconductor nanocrystals, using europium ion (Eu³⁺) doped silica (SiO₂) gel with adsorbed cadmium sulfide (CdS) particles. Samples were prepared by a sol-gel technique, in which several methods for the precipitation of CdS colloids were attempted. The fluorescence intensities were compared for different gels, with and without CdS particles. The intrinsic emission lines due to ⁵D₀ ⁷F_J(J = 0–4) transitions of Eu³⁺ were observed, which were enhanced for 24 h-immersed gel (dried at 50°C). From the results on the decay dynamics of fluorescence, we proposed the model that surface-trapped electrons on CdS particles nonradiatively excited 4f electrons in Eu³⁺ ions due to an energy transfer process.     

Mössbauer study on the state of dispersion of Eu/II/in frozen aqueous solutions and its photooxidation to Eu/III/

Line-broadening due to paramagnetic relaxation was observed in Mössbauer spectra of Eu²⁺ in glassy frozen solutions; such broadening may be used as an indicator of the state of dispersion of europium. It was demonstrated by the Mössbauer technique that Eu²⁺ was oxidized to Eu³⁺ by photoirradiation at >300 nm and that this oxidation reaction was induced by photoexcitation of the 320-nm band of Eu²⁺.