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Simultaneous separation and purification of plutonium and americium from aqueous nitrate solutions using extractant impregnated macroporous polymeric beads

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Abstract

The removal of Pu(IV) and Am(III) ions from aqueous nitrate solutions was studied using indigenously synthesized Extractant Impregnated Macroporous Polymeric Beads (EIMPBs). These beads exhibited almost quantitative sorption of Pu(IV) at acid strength of >2 M HNO3 while that of Am(III) at pH 3. Langmuir sorption model was found suitable, with the sorption capacity of EIMPBs for Pu(IV) and Am(III) as 2.13 and 2.64 mg g−1 respectively. Its performance remained unchanged until seven cycles of extraction and stripping using 0.1 M oxalic acid. A flow sheet for Purification of Pu(IV)/Am(III) from its mixture is proposed.

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Acknowledgments

Authors wish to acknowledge their sincere thanks to Dr. B. N. Jagtap, Director, Chemistry Group and Dr. D. K. Palit Head, Radiation and Photochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, India for their encouragement during the course of the present research and development work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fuel Reprocessing Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400085, India

    S. K. Pathak, S. C. Tripathi, A. K. Mahtele & P. M. Gandhi

  2. Radiation and Photochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, India

    K. K. Singh & Manmohan Kumar

Authors
  1. S. K. Pathak
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  2. S. C. Tripathi
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  3. K. K. Singh
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  4. A. K. Mahtele
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  5. Manmohan Kumar
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  6. P. M. Gandhi
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Correspondence to S. C. Tripathi.

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Pathak, S.K., Tripathi, S.C., Singh, K.K. et al. Simultaneous separation and purification of plutonium and americium from aqueous nitrate solutions using extractant impregnated macroporous polymeric beads. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 308, 47–57 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-015-4330-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-015-4330-z

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