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U.S. Department of Energy
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Optical studies of the stoichiometry and thermodynamics of plutonium(IV) nitrate complexes in high ionic strength acidic solutions

Conference ·
OSTI ID:560215

We will show that a rigorous analysis of optical absorption spectra of actinide f-f transitions can quantify unusually complicated, multi-component complexation equilibria, using our analysis of the aqueous plutonium(IV) nitrate system as an example. The aqueous solution chemistry of plutonium in the +4 oxidation state includes the simultaneous formation of many different complexes of the type Pu(NO3)n(H2O)x. In a series of acidic Pu(IV) solutions ranging from 2 to 22 molal ionic strength and 0 to 22 molal nitrate concentration, we have identified and quantified at least five Pu(IV) species and have determined upper limits for the maximum abundances of two other possible complexes. We will discuss the strong ionic strength dependence formation constants for the Pu(IV) nitrate complexes and the effects of several different electrolyte cations.

OSTI ID:
560215
Report Number(s):
CONF-970443--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English