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Synergistic extraction of uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) with mixtures of Cyanex272 and other organophosphorus ligands

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Abstract

The extraction of thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) from nitric acid solutions has been studied using mixtures of bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphinic acid (Cyanex272 or HA), and synergistic extractants (S) such as tri-butylphosphate (TBP), tri-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) or bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)thiophosphinic acid (Cyanex301). The results showed that these metallic ions are extracted into kerosene as Th(OH)2(NO3)A·HA and UO2(NO3)A·HA with Cyanex272 alone. In the presence of neutral organophosphorus ligands TBP and TOPO, they are found to be extracted as Th(OH)2(NO3)A·HA·S and UO2(NO3)A·HA·S. On the other hand, Th(IV), U(VI) are extracted as Th(OH)2(NO3)A·HA·2S and UO2(NO3)A·HA·S in the presence of Cyanex301. The addition of neutral extractants such as TOPO and TBP to the extraction system enhanced the extraction efficiency of both elements while Cyanex301 as an acidic extractant has improved the selectivity between uranium and thorium. The effect of TOPO on the extraction was higher than other extractants. The equilibrium constants of above species have been estimated by non-linear regression method. The extraction amounts were determined and the results were compared with those of TBP. Also, it was found that the binding to the neutral ligands by the thorium–Cyanex272 complexes follows the neutral ligand basicity sequence.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like greatly wish to thank Dr. M. Ghannadi Maragheh for providing the possibility conducting this research. Thanks are also due to M.S. M.R. Khatami and Mrs. Z. Moslemi for revising the English language of the manuscript.

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  1. Faculty of Mineral Processing Engineering, Zarand College, Bahonar University, P. O. Box 14579-73869, 7616914111, Kerman, Iran

    M. Eskandari Nasab

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Eskandari Nasab, M. Synergistic extraction of uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) with mixtures of Cyanex272 and other organophosphorus ligands. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 298, 1739–1747 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-013-2528-5

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