Separation of americium from europium using 3,3'-dimethoxy-phenyl-bis-1,2,4-triazinyl-2,6-pyridine

• Published in: Separation science and technology Vol. N/A
• Main Authors: Hill, Talon G., Chin, Ai Lin, Tai, Serene, Carrick, Jesse D., Ensor, Dale D., Delmau, Lætitia H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis 22.03.2017
• Subjects: Americium europium separation; BTP; INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY; nitrogen donor extractant; nuclear fuel cycle; solvent extraction
• ISSN: 0149-6395; 1520-5754

Development of liquid-liquid separation processes for the effective removal of the minor actinide Am(III) from used nuclear fuel using ligand-based strategies continues to be an area of significant research focus. The current investigation demonstrates the efficacy of a nitrogen-based bis-triazinyl pyridine (BTP) derivative to selectively extract Am(III) from nitric acid solutions containing light lanthanides. The performance of 3,3’-dimethoxy-phenyl-bis-1,2,4-triazinyl-2,6- pyridine (MOB-BTP) was compared to that of a camphor substituted BTP (CA-BTP). The results of this investigation demonstrate the novel 3,3’-methoxy-BTP extractant dissolved in a polar diluent was a more efficient extractant for Am(III) at a lower concentration than CA-BTP under comparable conditions.