Kinetics and efficiencies of radiolytic degradation in lanthanide/actinide separation ligands - Nopopo

Katy L. Swancutt, Stephen P. Mezyk, Leigh R. Martin, Richard D. Tillotson, Sylvie Pailloux, Manab Chakravarty, Robert T. Paine

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

The separation of trivalent lanthanides from actinides is one of the important steps in the selective partitioning of used nuclear fuel. However, these separations occur in the presence of a radiation field that degrades both ligands and solvents, potentially reducing the overall extraction efficiency. To quantitatively predict the impact of radiation under process scale extraction conditions, we have investigated the aqueous stability of one ligand that has shown promise for lanthanide/ actinide separations, 2,6-bis[(di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphino) methyl] pyridine N,P,P-trioxide (NOPOPO). In this study the stable products produced in radiolysis of NOPOPO, and two model analogues (2-methylphosphonic acid) pyridine N,P dioxide and 2,6-bis(methylphosphonic acid) pyridine N,P,P trioxide), have been determined. In addition the temperature-dependent reaction rate constants for the hydroxyl (.OH) radical reaction with these three species were also measured.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationNuclear Energy and the Environment
PublisherAmerican Chemical Society
Pages231-242
Number of pages12
ISBN (Print)9780841225855
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 15 2010

Publication series

NameACS Symposium Series
Volume1046
ISSN (Print)0097-6156
ISSN (Electronic)1947-5918

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