Remarkable Improvement in Am3+ and Cm3+ Separation Using a Cooperative Counter Selectivity Strategy by a Combination of Branched Diglycolamides and Hydrophilic Polyaza-heterocycles.

Separation of Am3+ and Cm3+ is one of the most challenging problems in the back-end of the nuclear fuel cycle. In the present work, we exploited the cooperative effect of the opposite selectivity of hydrophobic branched DGA derivatives and hydrophobic N-donor heterocyclic ligands taken in two different phases to achieve improved separation behavior. A systematic study was performed using a series of DGA derivatives to understand the effect and the position of branching in the alkyl chains on the separation behavior of Am3+ and Cm3+. A separation factor (S.F.) value as high as 10 for Cm3+ over Am3+ was obtained in the case of TiBDGA (N,N,N',N'-tetra-iso-butyl diglycolamide) using SO3PhBTPhen ((phenanthroline-2,9-diyl)-1,2,4-triazine-5,5,6,6-tetrayltetrabenzenesulfonic acid) as the aqueous complexant, which is the highest reported value so far for the ligand-based separation of Am3+ and Cm3+ without involving any oxidation or reduction step. The high selectivity favoring Cm3+ ion extraction in the case of this DGA derivative is also explained with the help of computational studies.

Understanding the Complexation of Alkyl-Substituted Nitrilotriacetamides with Uranium: A Study by Absorption Spectroscopy and Microcalorimetry.

Complexation thermodynamics of UO22+ ions with a series of alkyl-substituted nitrilotriacetamides (NTA) was investigated by absorption spectroscopy and microcalorimetry. The hexamethyl derivative of NTA (HMNTA) forms the weakest two successive complexes with UO22+ ions with stability constants of log ß11 = 3.5 ± 0.1 and log ß12 = 6.1 ± 0.1. The formation constant values increased linearly with increasing alkyl chain length of the substituents from hexamethyl NTA to hexabutyl NTA (HBNTA) and to hexahexyl NTA (HHNTA). The complexation with each ligand was both enthalpy and entropy driven with exothermic enthalpy changes of ΔH11 = -14.7 ± 1.0 kJ/mol, ΔH12 = -10.2 ± 0.8 kJ/mol for HMNTA, ΔH11 = -19.2 ± 1.2 kJ/mol, ΔH12 = -16.4 ± 1.1 kJ/mol for HBNTA, and ΔH11 = -21.3 ± 1.4 kJ/mol, ΔH12 = -19.4 ± 2.3 kJ/mol for HHNTA. Similarly, the positive entropy changes with each ligand were ΔS11 = 18.1 ± 2.7 J/mol/K, ΔS12 = 82.9 ± 3.8 J/mol/K for HMNTA, ΔS11 = 14.4 ± 1.2 J/mol/K, ΔS12 = 87.2 ± 4.2 J/mol/K for HBNTA, and ΔS11 = 16.1 ± 2.4 J/mol/K, ΔS12 = 92.6 ± 3.1 J/mol/K for HHNTA. Structural features of the complex suggest the participation of two ligands coordinating in a bidentate mode via the carbonyl oxygens. The [UO2L2]2+ complexes appear to be noncentrosymmetric with two ligands and one water molecule occupying the equatorial plane of the dioxo uranyl cation. The structure of the complex was confirmed by 1H NMR titration, EXAFS measurements, and DFT calculations.

In-Situ-Generated Fluoride-Assisted Rapid Dissolution of Uranium Oxides by Ionic Liquids.

A quantitative, rapid, endothermic dissolution of U3O8 in C4mim·PF6 (1-alkyl-3-methyl imidazolium hexafluorophosphate) has been achieved within 2 h at 65 °C by in situ generated fluoride ions by pre-equilibrating the ionic liquid with suitable concentrations of nitric acid. The efficiency of the dissolution followed the trend: UO3 > UO2 > U3O8. The fluoride generation was found to increase with the concentration of nitric acid being equilibrated, the water content of the ionic liquid, and also the time of equilibration. The rate of dissolution of U3O8 followed the trend: C4mim·PF6> C6mim·PF6 > C8mim·PF6. The maximum loading observed for the present case was 200 mg mL-1 which is considered to be quite high with an ionic liquid. The effects of different acid pre-equilibration (HClO4, HCl) on F- generation and subsequent dissolution characteristics have also been investigated. The in situ F- generation, as well as U3O8 dissolution, were found to predominantly follow a pseudo-second-order rate kinetics, while the rate constants for U3O8 dissolution were found to be higher than that of F- generation. The dissolved uranium was successfully electrodeposited on a Cu plate, as confirmed by EDXRF, while the formation of UO2 was revealed from the XRD pattern of the deposit.

Understanding the Interaction of Uranyl Cation with Two C-Pivot Tripodal Amides: Synthesis, Complexation, Microcalorimetry, and DFT Studies.

Complexation of uranyl ions with two structurally related C-pivotal tripodal amides with varying spacer lengths, synthesized for the first time, was studied by optical spectroscopy. In the tripodal amides, the coordination was through the carbonyl O atoms where the carbonyl groups were away from the central C-atom by three spacer atoms (LI) and four spacer atoms (LII), respectively. Increasing the spacer atoms going from LI to LII favors the complexation with the linear uranyl cations and results in stronger complex formation. The complexation heat between the uranyl cations and the two amide ligands was directly measured by microcalorimetric titrations. The complexation with both the ligands was driven by exothermic enthalpy and positive entropy changes. Formation of the complex proceeded by the replacement of water molecules from the primary coordination sphere of the uranyl cation. Both ligands formed bisolvated (ML2-type) complexes in which one unit of the ligand binds in a monodentate manner and the other in a bidentate mode. Density functional theory calculations further supported our experimental observations.

Efficient actinide sequestration with ionic liquid-based extraction chromatography resins containing Aza-crown ether functionalized diglycolamides.

Two new extraction chromatographic resins (ECRs) were prepared by impregnating two exotic diglycolamide (DGA) ligands (having three or four DGA moieties tethered to aza-crown ether scaffolds) dissolved in an ionic liquid onto an inert solid support. A room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) was used for enhancing the performance of the ECRs. The ECR containing triaza-9-crown-3 functionalized with three DGA moieties (TAM-3-DGA), and tetraaza-12-crown-4 tethered with four DGA arms (TAM-4-DGA) were evaluated for the separation of Am3+ and Pu4+from nitric acid solutions. The resin capacity for Eu3+ was 9.52 mg/g and 7.24 mg/g for TAM-3-DGA and TAM-4-DGA resins, respectively. Similarly, the resin capacity for Pu4+was 7.44 mg/g and 5.72 mg/g for TAM-3-DGA and TAM-4-DGA resins, respectively. These maximum loading values corresponded to the formation of a 1:1 metal/ligand complex for the Eu3+ ion and a 1:2 metal/ligand complex for the Pu4+ ion. The sorption of Eu3+and Pu4+on the resins followed a chemisorption phenomenon on both resins. The sorbed Eu3+and Pu4+ions from the resin phase could be efficiently desorbed with complexing ligands such as guanidine carbonate/HEDTA and oxalic acid, respectively.

Experimental and Theoretical Insight into the Ionic Liquid-Mediated Complexation of Trivalent Lanthanides with ß-Diketone and Its Fluorinated Analogue.

A multitechnique approach with theoretical insights has been employed to understand the complexation of trivalent lanthanides with two ß-diketones, viz. 1-phenyl-1,3-butanedione (L1) and 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-phenyl-1,3-butanedione (L2), in an ionic liquid (C6mim·NTf2). UV-vis spectral analysis of complexation using Nd3+ revealed the predominance of ML2+ and ML4- species. The stability constants for the PB complexes were higher (ß2 ∼ 10.45 ± 0.05, ß4 ∼ 15.51 ± 0.05) than those for the TPB (ß2 ∼ 7.56 ± 0.05, ß4 ∼ 13.19 ± 0.06). The photoluminescence titration using Eu3+ corroborated the same observations with slightly higher stability constants, probably due to the higher ionic potential of Eu3+. The more asymmetric (AL2ML4 ∼ 5.2) Eu-L2 complex was found to contain one water molecule in the primary coordination sphere of Eu3+ with more covalency of the Eu3+-O bond (Ω2L1 = 8.5 × 10-20, Ω4L1 = 1.3 × 10-20) compared to the less asymmetric Eu-L1 complex (AL1ML4 ∼ 3.5) with two water molecules having less Eu-O covalency (Judd-Offelt parameters: Ω2L1 = 7.3 × 10-20, Ω4L1 = 1.0 × 10-20). Liquid-liquid extraction studies involving Nd3+ and Eu3+ revealed the formation of the ML4- complex following an 'anion exchange' mechanism. The shift of the enol peak from 1176 to 1138 cm-1 on the complexation of the ß-diketones with Eu3+ was confirmed from the FTIR spectra. 1H NMR titration of the ß-diketones with La(NTf2)3 evidenced the participation of α-H of the ß-diketones and protons at C2, C4, and C5 positions of the methylimidazolium ring. For the ML2 complex, 4 donor O atoms are suggested to coordinate to the trivalent lanthanides with bond distances of 2.3297-2.411 Å for La-O, 2.206-2.236 Å for Eu-O, and 2.217-2.268 Å for Nd-O, respectively, while for the ML4 complex, 8 donor O atoms were coordinated with bond lengths of 2.506-2.559 Å for La-O, 2.367-2.447 Å for Eu-O, and 2.408-2.476 Å for Nd-O. The Nd3+ ion was higher by 9.7 kcal·mol-1 than that of the La3+ ion for the 1:4 complex. The complexation energy with L1 was quite higher than that with L2 for both 1:2 and 1:4 complexes. Using cyclic voltammetry, the redox behavior of trivalent lanthanides Eu and Gd with ß-diketonate in ionic liquid medium was probed and their redox energetic and kinetic parameters were determined.

Ionic Liquid Assisted Exothermic Complexation of Trivalent Lanthanides with Fluorinated ß Diketone: Multitechnique Approach with Theoretical Insight.

The complexation of the betadiketone,1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluoro-7,7-dimethyl-4,6-octanedione (HFOD) was studied with trivalent lanthanide ions, viz. Nd3+, La3+, and Eu3+ in several methylimidazolium-based ionic liquids (Cnmim•NTf2, where, n = 4,6,8). In C6mim•NTf2, predominant formation of ML2+ and ML4- species was evidenced from the UV-vis absorption (Nd3+) as well as luminescence (Eu3+) spectral studies with log ß2 ≈ 5.88 ± 0.04, log ß4 ≈ 10.95 ± 0.06. The formation constants followed the trend C4mim•NTf2 > C6mim•NTf2 > C8mim•NTf2. The asymmetry factors for the ML2+ and ML4- species were found to be 1.2 and 1.59, respectively. The ML4- complex was found to have one primary coordination sphere water molecule with enhanced covalency between Eu3+ and O from HFOD (Judd Offelt constants Ω2 and Ω4 ≈ 17.2 and 2.35) compared to Eu3+aq, yet comparable to other ß diketones. Complexation-induced temperature increase was confirmed by calorimetric measurements, indicating the exothermic complexation reaction (ΔHcomplexation ≈ -13.7 kJ mol-1), which is also spontaneous in nature (ΔG ≈ -68.1 kJ mol-1), with an enhancement in the entropy values. Due to complexation, the shifts in the peak positions (1686.66 cm-1, 1633.53 cm-1) associated with ß diketone/ketone functional groups were evidenced. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation was performed to optimize the structural parameters including bond distance, bond angles, and energetics associated with the complexation.

Highly efficient separation of Am(III) and Pu(IV) from lean feeds and soil using an extraction chromatographic resin containing a diglycolamide in an ionic liquid.

A TODGA based extraction chromatographic resin containing an ionic liquid was used for the separation of actinide ions such as Am3+ and Pu4+ from samples such as lean effluents emanating from laboratory waste, environmental water as well as soil samples adjacent to a nuclear plant site. The methodology involved feed adjustment to 3 M HNO3 followed by conditioning of the column, loading, washing (3 M HNO3), and elution of the actinide ions. The elution of Am3+ was done using EDTA in a buffered medium (1 M guanidine carbonate) while that of Pu4+ was carried out using a mixture of 0.5 M oxalic acid and 0.5 M HNO3. The elution peaks were sharp with almost no tailing suggesting the efficiency of the separation method. The results obtained were compared with the literature results which suggested the high efficiency of the present method.

A comparative study on the uptake of lanthanides from acidic feeds using extraction chromatography resins containing N,N,N',N'-tetra-n-alkyl diglycolamides with varying alkyl chain lengths in an ionic liquid.

A comparative study on the uptake of several rare earth element (REE) ions viz. La(III), Ce(III), Pr(III), Nd(III), Sm(III), Gd(III) and Dy(III) was carried out from nitric acid feeds using four extraction chromatography resins which contained the diglycolamide (DGA) ligands, N,N,N',N'-tetra-n-alkyldiglycolamide with n-pentyl (TPDGA), n-hexyl (THDGA), n-octyl (TODGA) and n-decyl (TDDGA) groups taken in a room temperature ionic liquid (C4mim·NTf2). The uptake of the lanthanides followed the trend: La(III) < Ce(III) < Pr(III) < Nd(III) < Sm(III) < Gd(III) < Dy(III), which is similar to their ionic potential values and the uptake trend of the resins was TPDGA > THDGA > TODGA > TDDGA. The uptake of the metal ions was very high (>104 g/mL) for all the lanthanide ions and was found to increase with increasing nitric acid concentrations. Based on the encouraging batch data, column studies were carried out with all the four extraction chromatography resins with the lanthanide ions used in this work. The column studies were carried out with both individual lanthanide ions and their mixtures. While the loading studies were carried out with 80 mg/L solutions of the metal ions (with respect to each of those) in the mixture of REEs, the elution studies were carried out using a solution of 0.05 M EDTA in 1 M guanidine carbonate. For the column studies involving individual REEs, 550 mg/L solutions were used. The elution profiles appeared to be sharp as >95% elution of the metal ions was accomplished in only 3 mL of the eluent which amounted to only 1.6 bed volumes which is highly impressive. When the studies were carried out with the mixture of the lanthanide ions, the breakthrough of Dy(III) was last while that of La(III) was seen at much lower volumes which was dependent on the nature of the extractant in the resins.

Aggregation Behavior of Nitrilotriacetamide (NTAmide) Ligands in Thorium(IV) Extraction from Acidic Medium: Small-Angle Neutron Scattering, Fourier Transform Infrared, and Theoretical Studies.

Two tripodal amides obtained from nitrilotriacetic acid with n-butyl and n-octyl alkyl chains (HBNTA(LI) and HONTA(LII), respectively) were studied for the extraction of Th(IV) ions from nitric acid medium. The effect of the diluent medium, i.e., n-dodecane alone and a mixture of n-dodecane and 1-decanol, onto aggregate formation were investigated using small angle neutron scattering (SANS) studies. In addition, the influence of the ligand structure, nitric acid, and Th(IV) loading onto ligand aggregation and third-phase formation tendency was discussed.The LI/LII exist as monomers (aggregarte radius for LI: 6.0 Å; LII:7.4 Å) in the presence of 1-decanol, whereas LII forms dimers (aggregarte radius for LII:9.3 Å; LI does not dissolve in n-dodecane) in the absence of 1-decanol. The aggregation number increases for both the ligands after HNO3 and Th(IV) loading. The maximum organic concentration (0.050 ± 0.004 M) of Th(IV) was reached without third-phase formation for 0.1 M LI/LII dissolved in 20% isodecanol +80% n-dodecane. The interaction of 1-decanol with LII and HNO3/Th(IV) with amidic oxygens of LI/LII results in shift of carbonyl stretching frequency, as shown by attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) studies. The structural and bonding information of the Th-LI/LII complex were derived from the density functional theoretical (DFT) studies. The molecular dynamics (MD) simulations suggested that the aggregation behavior of the ligand in the present system is governed by the population of hydrogen bonds by phase modifier around the ligand molecules. Although the theoretical studies suggested higher Gibbs free energy of complexation for Th4+ ions with LI than LII, the extraction was found to be higher with the latter, possibly due to the higher lipophilicity and solubility of the Th-LII aggregate in the nonpolar media.

Radiation stability of two extraction chromatography resin materials containing substituted diglycolamide ligands in an ionic liquid.

The radiation stability of two extraction chromatography resins containing diglycolamide ligands viz. TPDGA (N,N,N',N'-tetra-n-pentyl diglycolamide) and TODGA (N,N,N',N'-tetra-n-octyl diglycolamide) in a room temperature ionic liquid (C4mim.NTf2) was studied by exposing to gamma rays from a 60Co source. The resins were irradiated to varying gamma ray dose up to 1000 kGy where both the dry resins and wet resins (containing a fixed amount nitric acid in contact) were used. The performance assessment of the resins was done by physicochemical characterization as well as uptake studies; both by batch as well as column methods. The physicochemical characterization of the resins was done using FTIR analysis while the surface morphology of the resins was carried out by scanning electron microscopy. The uptake of the metal ions, typically that of Am(III) and Eu(III), representing the trivalent actinides and lanthanides was studied by batch method. The dry resins and those in contact with nitric acid yielded nearly identical results suggesting minimal effect of the radiolytic products of nitric acid on the resin performance. There was negligible change in the Kd values up to an absorbed dose of 300 kGy beyond which there was sharp decrease. However, the Kd values were still quite large even after an absorbed dose of 1000 kGy. The column performance of the irradiated resins was also assessed by the uptake and elution of Eu(III) ion and though loading was affected, the elution behavior was found to have insignificant effect.

Stability of composite polymeric beads containing a calix[4]arene-mono-crown-6 ligand for radio-cesium separation.

Bis-octyloxy-calix[4]arene-mono-crown-6 (BOCMC) is a selective ligand for Cs(I) cation, and has been used in solvent extraction method for its separation from acidic feed. Looking at the various advantages and ease of extraction chromatography separation method, an attempt was made to prepare stable composite beads containing BOCMC entrapped in a suitable polymeric matrix. Therefore, an attempt was made to prepare a series of composite polymeric beads containing BOCMC in polysulfone (PS), polyether sulfone (PES) and sodium alginate polymeric matrix. Preparations of the beads were attempted by dissolving the solid BOCMC in the polymer solution, and also by using the ligand solution in isodecanol/dodecane and ionic liquids and then mixing in the polymeric solution. Every attempt failed to get the desired quality of beads in PES and sodium alginate matrix. However, very good quality and stable beads were obtained when 25 mM ligand solution dissolved in C8mim.Tf2N ionic liquid was used in PS matrix. Detail study for the extraction chromatography separation of Cs(I) was studied with BOCMC/C8mim.Tf2N/PS composite beads. Detail investigations on the preparation, characterization, reusability and radiation stability of these beads have been studied and reported in details.

Highly efficient uptake of Europium (III) and Americium (III) from acidic feeds using extraction chromatography resins containing N,N,N',N'-tetra alkyl diglycolamides with varying alkyl chain length in an ionic liquid.

A comparative study on the uptake of Eu(III) and Am(III) was carried out using four extraction chromatography (XC) resins impregnated with constant weight of the tetra-n-pentyl diglycolamide (TPDGA) ligands, viz. tetra-n-hexyl diglycolamide (THDGA), tetra-n-octyl diglycolamide (TODGA) and tetra-n-decyl diglycolamide (TDDGA) along with C4mim·NTf2, a room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL), from nitric acid feed solutions. The uptake of Eu(III) was higher than that of Am(III) while the uptake trend with the four XC resins followed the order: TPDGA > THDGA > TODGA > TDDGA, which was opposite to the alkyl chain length attached to the DGA extractant. When constant moles of the extractants were used, the observed trend was TODGA > THDGA > TDDGA > TPDGA. Also, for all the four XC resins, the uptake of both Eu(III) and Am(III) ions increased with increasing nitric acid concentration. The uptake data with all the four resins were fitted into different kinetic and isotherm models which conformed to a pseudo-second order kinetics and Langmuir monolayer sorption isotherm. Furthermore, columns were prepared with these XC resins and were used to obtain breakthrough profiles using a feed solution containing 0.55 g/L Eu(III) in 3 M HNO3. Subsequently, the elution of the loaded metal ion from the column was accomplished with a strippant solution containing 1 M guanidine carbonate + 0.05 M EDTA in distilled water. Elution profiles for all the four resins showed sharp peaks with almost no tailing.

Highly efficient Plutonium(IV) uptake from acidic feeds using four extraction chromatography resins containing diglycolamides and ionic liquid.

Quantitative recovery of plutonium from lean effluents is one of the most challenging tasks for separation scientists. Four extraction chromatography (XC) resins containing substituted diglycolamide ligands viz. N,N,N',N'-tetra-n-pentyl diglycolamide (TPDGA), N,N,N',N'-tetra-n-hexyl diglycolamide (THDGA), N,N,N',N'-tetra-n-octyl diglycolamide (TODGA) and N,N,N',N'-tetra-n-decyl diglycolamide (TDDGA) and a room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) were tested for the extraction of plutonium (IV) from nitric acid feed solutions. The relative efficiency of uptake of the metal ion in the entire range of HNO3 studied was: TPDGA > THDGA > TODGA > TDDGA, which was opposite to the chain length of the attached alkyl groups. Also, for all the four XC resins the uptake of Pu(IV) was found to decrease with increasing nitric acid concentration in the lower acidity range followed by an increase thereafter. The uptake of Pu(IV) with all the four XC resins was fitted into different kinetic and isotherm models. It was found that all the four resins followed the pseudo-second order kinetic model and Langmuir monolayer adsorption model. Column studies with these XC resins using a loading solution containing 1.2 g/L Pu(IV) in 3 M HNO3 showed early breakthrough for the higher homolog DGA ligands as compared to the lower homologs. Effective elution of the loaded Pu(IV) from the column was done in about 5.5 column volumes using a solution containing 0.5 M oxalic acid in 0.5 M HNO3.

Highly efficient uptake of tetravalent actinide ions from nitric acid feeds using an extraction chromatography material containing tetra-n-butyl diglycolamide and a room temperature ionic liquid.

An extraction chromatography (XC) material containing N,N,N',N'-tetra-n-butyl diglycolamide (TBDGA) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulphonyl) imide (C4mim∙NTf2), a room temperature ionic liquid, was used for the uptake of the tetravalent actinide ions Th(IV), Np(IV), and Pu(IV) from nitric acid feed solutions. The uptake of the metal ions followed the trend: Th(IV) < Np(IV) < Pu(IV), which is the same as that of their ionic potential values. While a decrease in the Np(IV) and Pu(IV) uptake was seen with increasing HNO3 concentration at lower acidities, an opposite trend was observed at higher acidities. Th(IV) uptake was not affected with the acid concentration. In view of the very high uptake and its importance in the nuclear fuel cycle, the major part of the studies was carried out with Pu(IV) ion. The loaded Pu(IV) was back extracted from the XC material using a mixture of 0.5 M oxalic acid and 0.5 M nitric acid. The Pu(IV) uptake by the XC material was fitted into different kinetic and isotherm models. The results conformed to the pseudo-second order kinetic model and the Langmuir monolayer sorption model. Column studies were carried out using a feed having 1.6 mg/L Pu solution in 3 M HNO3. While the breakthrough was obtained after passing ca. nine bed volumes, a sharp elution peak was obtained with >99% recovery in about seven bed volumes.

Metal-organic frameworks as superior porous adsorbents for radionuclide sequestration: Current status and perspectives.

Efficient separation of hazardous radionuclides from radioactive waste remains a challenge to the global acceptance of nuclear power due to complex nature of the waste, high radiotoxicities and presence of large number of interfering elements. Sorption of radioactive elements from liquid phase, gas phase or their solid particulates on various synthetic organic, inorganic or biological sorbents is looked as one of the options for their remediation. In this context, highly porous materials, termed as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), have shown promise for efficient capturing of various types of radioactive elements. Major advantages that have been advocated for the application of MOFs in radionuclide sorption are their excellent chemical stability, and their large surface area due to abundant functional groups, and porosity. In this review, recent developments on the application of MOFs for radionuclide sequestration are briefly discussed. Focus has been devoted to address the separation of few crucial radioactive elements such as Th, U, Tc, Re, Se, Sr and Cs from aqueous solutions, which are important for liquid radioactive waste management. Apart from these radioactive metal ions, removal of radionuclide bearing gases such as I2, Xe, and Kr are also discussed. Aspects related to the interaction of MOFs with the radionuclides are also discussed. Finally, a perspective for comprehensive investigation of MOFs for their applications in radioactive waste management has been outlined.

Highly efficient plutonium scavenging by an extraction chromatography resin containing a tetraaza-12-crown-4 ligand tethered with four diglycolamide pendent arms.

An efficient extraction chromatography resin, containing tetraaza-12-crown-4 functionalized with four diglycolamide moieties, was evaluated for the separation of plutonium. This chromatography resin yielded very large distribution coefficients for Pu4+ (>105) in 0.5 - 6 M HNO3 feed solutions. Various physicochemical properties such as sorption kinetics, Pu4+ sorption mechanism, and its sorption capacity were investigated. The sorption kinetics, following a pseudo-second-order model, showed that about 10 minutes of equilibration was sufficient for >99.9% sorption of Pu4+. The sorption of Pu4+ on the resin followed the Langmuir monolayer model, which was confirmed by a theoretical calculation based on the kinetic model. The Pu4+ sorption on the resin was driven by a large exothermic enthalpy change (ΔH = -31.4±2.2 kJ/mol) and a positive entropy change (ΔS = 224±15 J/mol/L). The resin could sorb a maximum of 12.1±0.8 mg of Pu per gram of resin, which is equivalent to 1:2 metal/ligand complex on the resin. The Pu4+ from the resin phase was completely stripped with 0.5 M oxalic acid. A possible application of this resin for the separation / pre-concentration of Pu4+ was successfully demonstrated in the column mode.

In Situ Preconcentration during the Di-(2-ethylhexyl) Phosphoric Acid-Assisted Dissolution of Uranium Trioxide in an Ionic Liquid: Spectroscopic, Electrochemical, and Theoretical Studies.

Dissolution of uranium oxide was carried out using a solution of HD2EHP in C8mim·NTf2, which was apparently facilitated by the in situ generation of water during the complex formation reaction. The dissolved complex in the ionic liquid phase led to splitting of the latter into a light phase and a heavy phase where the former contained predominantly the UO2(HL2)2 complex (HL = HD2EHP), while the latter contained the ionic liquid as supported by FTIR and UV-Visible spectral analyses. The complexation of the uranyl ion was suggested to take place in the equatorial plane where two dimeric units of the H-bonded HD2EHP molecules took part in complexation. An increase in temperature facilitated the dissolution rate with an activation energy of 31.0 ± 2.8 kJ/mol. The cyclic voltammetry studies indicated potential chances of recovery of the dissolved uranium by electrodeposition at the cathode. The proposed dimeric structure of HD2EHP in the complexation with U(VI) was supported by DFT studies also.

Selective uptake of thorium(IV) from nitric acid medium using two extraction chromatographic resins based on diglycolamide-calix[4]arenes: Application to thorium-uranyl separation in an actual sample.

Two novel extraction chromatography resins (ECRs) containing two diglycolamide (DGA) -functionalized calix[4]arenes with n-propyl and isopentyl substituents at the amide nitrogen atom, termed as ECR-1 and ECR-2, respectively, were evaluated for the uptake of Th(IV) from nitric acid feed solutions. While both the resins were having a quite high Th(IV) uptake ability (Kd >3000 at 3 M HNO3), the uptake was relatively lower with the resin containing the isopentyl DGA, which appeared magnified at lower nitric acid concentrations. Kinetic modeling of the sorption data suggested fitting to the pseudo-second order model pointing to a chemical reaction during the uptake of the metal ion. Sorption isotherm studies were carried out showing a good fitting to the Langmuir and D-R isotherm models, suggesting the uptake conforming to monolayer sorption and a chemisorption model. Glass columns with a bed volume of ca. 2.5 mL containing ca. 0.5 g lots of the ECRs were used for studies to assess the possibility of actual applications of the ECRs. Breakthrough profiles obtained with feed containing 0.7 g/L Th(NO3)3 solution resulted in breakthrough volumes of 8 and 5 mL, respectively, for the ECR-1 and ECR-2 resins. Near quantitative elution of the loaded metal ion was possible using a solution of oxalic acid and nitric acid. A method for the separation of Th-234 from natural uranium was demonstrated for the possible application of ECR-1.

Highly efficient uptake of neptunium from acidic feeds using two solid phase extraction resins containing diglycolamide-functionalized calix[4]arene ligands.

Two solid phase extraction resins (SPER) were prepared by impregnating solutions of two diglycolamide-functionalized calix[4]arenes in 10% isodecanol in n-dodecane into Chromosorb W, as the stationary phase. While SPER-I contained n-propyl functionalized calix[4]arene, SPER-II contained the calix[4]arene with isopentyl groups at the carboxamide nitrogen atoms. The SPERs were characterized by SEM, TGA, FTIR, etc. and were used for the batch uptake of neptunium(IV) from nitric acid feed solutions. While the uptake of Np(IV) was extremely high with SPER-I (Kd: 47,544 at 3 M nitric acid, ca. 8% extractant loading), SPER-II displayed a significantly lower extraction efficiency (Kd: 13,724 under identical conditions) as indicated by the batch uptake studies. Sorption isotherm studies were carried out which indicated good fitting to the Langmuir model suggesting uptake conforming to monolayer sorption. Fitting to the D-R isotherm model conformed to a chemisorption model. Column studies were also carried out and the elution profiles, obtained with solutions of oxalic acid and nitric acid indicated very sharp peaks suggesting that the column can be used for the separation of Np(IV) from acidic radioactive feeds.