Simultaneous separation and purification of plutonium and americium from aqueous nitrate solutions using extractant impregnated macroporous polymeric beads

摘要

The removal of Pu(IV) and Am(III) ions from aqueous nitrate solutions was studied using indigenously synthesized Extractant Impregnated Macroporous Polymeric Beads (EIMPBs). These beads exhibited almost quantitative sorption of Pu(IV) at acid strength of > 2 M HNO3 while that of Am(III) at pH 3. Langmuir sorption model was found suitable, with the sorption capacity of EIMPBs for Pu(IV) and Am(III) as 2.13 and 2.64 mg g(-1) respectively. Its performance remained unchanged until seven cycles of extraction and stripping using 0.1 M oxalic acid. A flow sheet for Purification of Pu(IV)/Am(III) from its mixture is proposed.