Sequestration of trivalent americium and lanthanide nitrates with bis-lactam-1,10-phenanthroline ligand in a hydrocarbon solvent?

RSC Advances Pub Date: 2019-08-23 DOI: 10.1039/C9RA06115K

Abstract

Efficient separation of minor actinides and lanthanides from used nuclear fuel could potentially lead to the development of sustainable nuclear fuel cycles. Herein, we report an in-depth study on selectivity and speciation in the extraction of the trivalent minor actinide Am and rare earth metal ions with a pre-organized phenanthroline-based ligand in a hydrocarbon solvent system relevant to nuclear fuel reprocessing. The 1?:?1 and 2?:?1 ligand-to-metal complexes dominate the speciation in the organic solvent over a range of ligand-to-metal concentrations, as evidenced by experimental data and supported by modeling.

Graphical abstract: Sequestration of trivalent americium and lanthanide nitrates with bis-lactam-1,10-phenanthroline ligand in a hydrocarbon solvent
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