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Extraction of tetravalent berkelium from nitric acid solutions with trioctylphosphine oxide

Journal Article · · Sov. Radiochem. (Engl. Transl.); (United States)
OSTI ID:6549198

The extraction of Bk(IV) and Ce(IV) from nitric acid solutions by solutions of trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) in decane in the range of HNO/sub 3/ concentrations from 2 to 14 moles/liter has been studied. The high efficiency and selectivity of TOPO as an extractant with respect to Bk(IV) has been shown. It has been found that, in the investigation range of HNO/sub 3/ concentrations, like other tetravalent cations, two TOPO molecules are involved in the composition of the extracted Bk(IV) complex. At the same time, with increase in the HNO/sub 3/ concentration, D/sub Bk(IV)/ rises somewhat, while D/sub Ce(IV)/, starting at 5 mole/liter HNO/sub 3/, diminishes sharply. This circumstance has made it possible to advance a hypothesis that there is a different mechanism for the extraction of these cations from concentrated HNO/sub 3/ solutions, and to effect a separation of Bk and Ce in the tetravalent states.

OSTI ID:
6549198
Journal Information:
Sov. Radiochem. (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Journal Name: Sov. Radiochem. (Engl. Transl.); (United States) Vol. 25:2; ISSN SVRDA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English