The rate equations for the reduction of Np(V), Np(VI) and Pu(IV) ions by acetaldoxime in nitric acid have been determined as:
-d[Np(V)]/dt = k26[Np(V)][CH3CHNOH][HNO3]1.2
- d[Np(VI)/dt = k19 [Np(VI)][CH3CHNOH]/[HNO3]
- d[Pu(IV)/dt = k6 [Pu(IV)]2[CH3CHNOH]1.1/[Pu(III)][HNO3]2.2
where respectively: k26 = (9.2±0.2)×10-4 l2.2mol-2.2min-1 at 60° C; k19 = 254±10 min-1 at 26.0° C; k6 = 25.3±1.9 mol1.1 l-1.1min-1 at 19.5°C. The activation energies were found to be: E19 = 62.6±2.6 kJmol-1 and E26 = 87.7±9.8 kJmol-1. Np(V) was generally found to be stable for long periods in nearly all the kinetic experiments and the reduction of Np(V) to Np(IV) could only be studied at elevated temperatures and reactant concentrations.
Possible reaction mechanisms for the reduction of Np(VI) and Pu(IV) have been suggested; proceeding, in both cases, via the hydrolysis product and an intermediate CH3CHN¤O radical. Simple solvent extraction experiments have shown that Np(VI) and Pu(IV) can be reductively stripped from 30% TBP/n-dodecane in the presence of U(VI).
Print ISSN: 0033-8230
Volume: 88, 02/2000
Pages: 065