Extraction Experiments after Radiolysis of a Proposed GANEX Solvent-The Effect of Time

In a solvent intended for use within group actinide extraction CyMe4-BTBP and TBP are combined together in cyclohexanone. After irradiating the solvent in acid contact a latency period before extraction reduced the extraction capability of plutonium. This reduction was larger when the solvent was kept in contact with the acid after irradiation. The decrease in plutonium extraction could be an effect of both a reduced extraction performance of CyMe4-BTBP caused by hydrolysis as well as a shift in oxidation state of the plutonium as it was shown that oxidizing Pu(IV) to Pu(VI) decreased the extraction by the solvent.