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Improved separation of Am(III) from the light lanthanides using a soft-donor synergist

Conference ·
OSTI ID:21230360
;  [1]
  1. Chemistry Department, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN 38505 (United States)

The separation of minor actinides from fission products, especially the trivalent lanthanides, remains a difficult problem. Current research has focused on the use of soft-donor groups that have a greater affinity for the trivalent actinides than for the lanthanides. The extractant bis(chlorophenyl)dithio-phosphinic acid was used in combination with a synergist, 4,7-diphenyl- 1,10-phenanthroline, to extract Am(III) and Eu(III) from aqueous nitrate media. The extraction efficiencies of Am(III) and Eu(III) were measured by varying the total ionic strength and concentrations of the extractant, synergist, and nitric acid. Results suggest that this synergistic system may be useful for group separation of the minor actinides from the lanthanides. (authors)

Research Organization:
Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (United States)
OSTI ID:
21230360
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English