Volatilization behaviour of ruthenium from boiling solutions

Volatilization behaviour of ruthenium from boiling solutions has been studied using¹⁰⁶Ru-labeled (Na₂ RuNO(NO₂)₄OH). The volatilization rate of ruthenium was measured at a constant concentration of nitrate in various acidities using a mixture of nitric acid and sodium nitrate. Volatilization of ruthenium was found to accur after a certain induction period depending on the acidity. However, the volatilization rate was constant at acidities greater than 3M in the presence of 10M nitrate. Ruthenium volatilized from a mixture of nitric acid and sulfuric acid, but the volatilization rate and induction period were independent of the mixing ratio of both acids.