Extraction of Uranium from Aqueous Solutions Using Ionic Liquid and Supercritical Carbon Dioxide in Conjunction

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2009 · Chemistry - A European Journal, 15(17):4458-4463

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.200801415· OSTI ID:974976

Wang, Joanna S; Sheaff, Chrystal N; Yoon, Byunghoon; Addleman, Raymond S; Wai, Chien M

Uranyl ions (UO2)2+ in aqueous nitric acid solutions can be extracted into supercritical CO2 (sc-CO2) via an imidazolium-based ionic liquid using tri-n-butylphosphate (TBP) as a complexing agent. The transfer of uranium from the ionic liquid to the supercritical fluid phase was monitored by UV/Vis spectroscopy using a high-pressure fiberoptic cell. The form of the uranyl complex extracted into the supercritical CO2 phase was found to be UO2(NO3)2(TBP)2. The extraction results were confirmed by UV/Vis spectroscopy and by neutron activation analysis. This technique could potentially be used to extract other actinides for applications in the field of nuclear waste management.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 974976
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-60724; NN2001000; TRN: US1002361
• Journal Information: Chemistry - A European Journal, 15(17):4458-4463, Vol. 15, Issue 17
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES, AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
ACTINIDES
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CHELATING AGENTS
MANAGEMENT
NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
NITRIC ACID
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
SPECTROSCOPY
URANIUM
supercritical carbon dioxide
ionic liquids
uranium extraction
UV/Vis Spectroscopy
fluorescence