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Th(IV) and U(VI) removal by TODGA in ionic liquids: extraction behavior and mechanism, and radiation effect

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Abstract

Extraction behavior of thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) from nitric acid (HNO3) was studied using N,N,N′,N′-tetraoctyldiglycolamide (TODGA) as extractant in different ionic liquids, and isooctane as comparison. Slope analyses with varying HNO3 concentrations and diluents revealed the extraction mechanism. With increasing length of alkyl chain and HNO3 concentration, the extraction mechanism of TODGA/IL system changed from cation exchange to neutral complex and/or anion exchange, and the molar ratio between TODGA and metal ions varied gradually from 2:1 to 1:1 for Th(IV) and 3:1 to 1:1 for U(VI). The kinetics and thermodynamic studies of Th(IV) and U(VI) by the best TODGA/[C2mim][NTf2] system showed that the extraction equilibrium was reached within 2 h and extraction reactions were endothermic. Compared to TODGA/isooctane system, TODGA/[C2mim][NTf2] system presented higher radiation stability under γ-irradiation. Therefore, it would have a promising application in spent fuel reprocessing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Non-power Nuclear Technology Collaborative Innovation Center, School of Nuclear Technology and Chemistry & Biology, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, 437100, China

    Zhen Dong, Wei-Jin Yuan, Chao Liu & Long Zhao

  2. School of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China

    Zhen Dong, Wei-Jin Yuan & Long Zhao

  3. Division of Chemistry and Ionizing Radiation Measurement Technology, Shanghai Institute of Measurement and Testing Technology, Shanghai, 201203, China

    Chao Zhao, Fang-Dong Tang & Lin-Feng He

Authors
  1. Zhen Dong
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  2. Wei-Jin Yuan
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  4. Long Zhao
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Correspondence to Long Zhao.

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This work is financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 11475112), the Ph.D. Programs Foundation of Ministry of Education of China (No. 20130073120051) and the Program for Professor of Special Appointment (Eastern Scholar) at Shanghai Institutions of Higher Learning.

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Dong, Z., Yuan, WJ., Liu, C. et al. Th(IV) and U(VI) removal by TODGA in ionic liquids: extraction behavior and mechanism, and radiation effect. NUCL SCI TECH 28, 62 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41365-017-0214-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41365-017-0214-y

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