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Separation of Americium in High Oxidation States from Curium Utilizing Sodium Bismuthate

Journal Article · · Analytical Chemistry
 [1];  [2]
  1. Univ. of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV (United States); UC Berkeley
  2. Univ. of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV (United States)
+ Show Author Affiliations
A simple separation of americium from curium would support closure of the nuclear fuel cycle, assist in nuclear forensic analysis, and allow for more accurate measurement of neutron capture properties of 241Am. Methods for the separation of americium from curium are however complicated and time-consuming due to the similar chemical properties of these elements. In this work a novel method for the separation of americium from curium in nitric acid media was developed using sodium bismuthate to perform both the oxidation and separation. Sodium bismuthate is shown to be a promising material for performing a simple and rapid separation. Curium is more strongly retained than americium on the undissolved sodium bismuthate at nitric acid concentrations below 1.0 M. A separation factor of ~90 was obtained in 0.1 M nitric acid. This separation factor is achieved within the first minute of contact and is maintained for at least 2 h of contact. Separations using sodium bismuthate were performed using solid–liquid extraction as well as column chromatography.
Research Organization:
Nuclear Science and Security Consortium, Berkeley, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
NA0000979
OSTI ID:
1454607
Journal Information:
Analytical Chemistry, Journal Name: Analytical Chemistry Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 88; ISSN 0003-2700
Publisher:
American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (12)

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Higher Oxidation States of Americium: Preparation, Characterization and Use for Separations journal September 2011
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Recent advances in f-element separations based on a new method for the production of pentavalent americium in acidic solution journal January 2015
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Cited By (5)

Effective separation of Am(III) and Cm(III) using a DGA resin via the selective oxidation of Am(III) to Am(V) journal May 2019
Theoretical insights on the complexation of Am(III) and Cm(III) with amide-type ligands journal October 2019
Separation of the Minor Actinides Americium(III) and Curium(III) by Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic BTPhen ligands: Exploiting Differences in their Rates of Extraction and Effective Separations at Equilibrium journal January 2018
Separation of the Minor Actinides Americium(III) and Curium(III) by Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic BTPhen ligands: Exploiting Differences in their Rates of Extraction and Effective Separations at Equilibrium text January 2018
Separation of the Minor Actinides Americium(III) and Curium(III) by Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic BTPhen ligands: Exploiting Differences in their Rates of Extraction and Effective Separations at Equilibrium text January 2018

Figures / Tables (3)

Figure 1(p. 3)figure Figure 1
Figure 2(p. 3)figure Figure 2
Figure 3(p. 3)figure Figure 3

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Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY