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Oxidation kinetics of plutonium(III) by nitrous acid in a tributyl phosphate solution

Journal Article · · Sov. Radiochem. (Engl. Transl.); (United States)
OSTI ID:6764839

The kinetics of the oxidation of plutonium(III) by nitrous acid in a medium of 30% TBP in n-dodecane was studied. It was found that in the concentration range of 5 x 10/sup -5/ to 1.3 x 10/sup -4/ mole/liter of Pu(III), (1.07-6.0) x 10/sup -3/ mole/liter of HNO/sub 2/, and 0.047-0.162 mole/liter of HNO/sub 3/, the rate of the reaction is given by the equation d(Pu(sup/IV/))/dt = k (Pu(sup/III/)) (HNO/sub 2/) (HNO/sub 3/)/sup 1.5/, where k = 1890 +/- 70 liter /sup 2.5//mole/sup 2.5 x min at a temperature of 3.0/sup 0/C. From the dependence of k on temperature (3.0-11.0/sup 0/C), the value of the activation energy, equal to 132.0kJ/mole, was determined. A mechanism has been proposed for the reactions corresponding to the experimental data, and including the reaction of Pu(sup/III/) with the N/sub 2/O/sub 4/ molecules and NO/sup +/ ions.

OSTI ID:
6764839
Journal Information:
Sov. Radiochem. (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Journal Name: Sov. Radiochem. (Engl. Transl.); (United States) Vol. 25:3; ISSN SVRDA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English