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Title: Spectroscopic and structural characterization of reduced technetium species in acetate media

Journal Article · · Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry

The reduction of ammonium pertechnetate by sodium borohydride in 0.1 M NaOH/glacial acetic acid has been studied. The reduction products (solids and solutions) have been characterized by UV-Visible spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy-dispersive X-ray emission spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy. UV-Visible spectra of the solution, after reduction, exhibit bands at 350 and 500 nm that have been attributed to the formation of polymeric Tc(IV) species. SEM/EDS on the solid (X-ray amorphous) indicates the absence of metallic Tc and the presence of oxygen. EXAFS measurements further indicate that the precipitate exhibits a [Tc({mu}-O){sub 2}Tc] core structure. XANES is consistent with the formation of Tc(III) and/or Tc(IV). Results infer that reduction of aqueous Tc(VII) by borohydride in the presence of acetic acid does not produce metallic Tc, but a mixture of various oxidation states of Tc near Tc(III) and Tc(IV).

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Advanced Photon Source (APS)
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE - BASIC ENERGY SCIENCES
OSTI ID:
1027661
Journal Information:
Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Vol. 288, Issue 3; ISSN 0236-5731
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
ENGLISH