Effect of radiolysis products of di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid upon the extraction of lanthanides

In order to clarify the influence of radiation degradation of DEHPA upon the extraction of lanthanides, the extraction of neodymium(III) was studied using DEHPA, MEHPA, 2-ethylhexanol and γ-ray irradiated DEHPA. The most significant effect of DEHPA radiolysis on the extraction was found to be the enhacement of extraction capability mainly due to the primary radiolysis product MEHPA. 2-Ethylhexanol, another radiolysis product, showed a depressant effect on DEHPA-Nd(III) extraction. However, the mixture of MEHPA and 2-ethylhexanol improved the extraction. The mixed solvent DEHPA-MEHPA was found to be more effective than the individual components for lanthanide extraction.