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Diphosphonic acid complexants for improved separation efficiency of transuranic elements

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10174854· OSTI ID:10174854
A study was made of the thermodynamics of protonation and complexation of Eu(III), Th(IV), and U(VI) by a series of simple diphosphonic acid chelating agents to assess the potential for application in actinide waste processing. It was found that the strongest complexes are formed with ligands having two phosphonate binding groups on the same C atom (1,1-diphosphonates) and that the water-soluble complexes are formed with protonated ligand species. More efficient separation/recovery processes could be designed using these ligands.
Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
W-31109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
10174854
Report Number(s):
ANL/CHM/PP--79348; ON: DE94016887
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English