Extraction Performance and Radiation Stability of Phosphorus-Containing Extractants

Abstract

At present, the research on spent fuel reprocessing technology, especially the research on solvent extraction technology has been paid more and more attention. The radionuclides in aqueous solution were extracted with organic diluent containing extractant. This paper aims to review and discuss the extraction performance and radiation stability of phosphorus-containing extractants, especially neutral phosphorus extractants, used in spent fuel reprocessing(solvent extraction) in the past decade. For neutral phosphine extractants, the extraction performance and radiation stability are affected by other factors such as its own structure, diluent type, etc. The decrease of the number of P—O bonds in the extractant would improve the extraction performance. The increase of alkyl chain length or the introduction of branched chain(such as methyl, ethyl and phenyl) can improve the radiation stability. In addition, the organic phase with ionic liquid as diluent can reduce the irradiation of the organic phase. Therefore, the study of the relationship between the structure of phosphorus-containing extractants and their extraction performance and radiation stability are conducive to select the extractant suitable for spent fuel reprocessing. It is also of great significance to select the structure with excellent extraction performance and radiation stability to guide the synthesis of new phosphorus-containing extractants.

Keywords

• phosphorus-containing extractants
• solvent extraction
• radiation chemistry
• radiation stability