Liquid-liquid extraction of Am(III), Pu(IV), and U(VI) using malonamide and tributyl phosphate in room temperature ionic liquids as diluent

Abstract

The extraction behavior of americium, plutonium, and uranium from nitric or hydrochloric acidic medium by a solution of malonamide or tributyl phosphate in trioctylmethylammonium chloride (Aliquat 336) or trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium chloride (Cyphos 101) ionic liquids were studied. The extraction percentage of these actinides was measured as a function of a concentration of nitric or hydrochloric acid and a set combination of a room temperature ionic liquid and an extractant. The pure room temperature ionic liquids could extract the plutonium and uranium to various degrees, with the combinations with extractants affecting the extraction percentages further. The 100 % extraction efficiency of plutonium was achieved across all concentrations of HCl with the combinations of Cyphos 101 and malonamide. 100% extraction efficiency of uranium was achieved by Cyphos 101 and malonamide from distilled water. Americium was not extracted by any combination under any conditions.

Keywords

• room-temperature ionic liquid
• americium
• plutonium
• uranium
• malonamide
• tributyl phosphate
• extraction percentage