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An analysis of the hydrolytic polymerization of Pu(IV) and its reaction paths in nitric acid solution

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Abstract

Reaction conditions for the hydrolysis polymerization of Pu(IV) in a nitric acid solution were studied by a dynamic light scattering method, and the reaction paths of the Pu(IV) hydrolysis polymerization and its thermodynamic functions were calculated. The results showed that the acidity and concentration of Pu(IV) in the solution and the temperature of the solution were correlated with the hydrolysis polymerization of Pu(IV). The particle size distribution of the polymerized Pu(IV) colloidal particles increased with increasing temperature and decreasing Pu(IV) concentration. Quantum chemistry calculations showed that the more likely reaction path of the Pu(IV) hydrolysis polymerization consisted of the following: first, Pu(IV) hydrolysed to form Pu(OH)4 and then polymerized to form a bioxygen-bridged polymer molecule, which had a low reaction energy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. China Institute of Atomic Energy, P. O. Box 275 (26), Beijing, 102413, China

    Hu Zhang, Jing Chen & Yong-zhi Ning

  2. Department of Chemistry, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, Guangdong Province, China

    Guang-hui Chen

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  1. Hu Zhang
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  2. Jing Chen
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  3. Yong-zhi Ning
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  4. Guang-hui Chen
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Correspondence to Hu Zhang.

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Zhang, H., Chen, J., Ning, Yz. et al. An analysis of the hydrolytic polymerization of Pu(IV) and its reaction paths in nitric acid solution. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 327, 199–206 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-020-07494-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-020-07494-x

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