The Electrochemical Separation of Curium and Americium: Quaterly Report January - March 2004

Authors

David W. Hatchett, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
Kenneth Czerwinski, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

3-2004

First page number:

1

Last page number:

2

Abstract

This research report outlines the current status and progress associated with the electrochemical separation of Curium and Americium.

Data collection and analysis of the Ce³⁺/Ce⁴⁺ redox couple in various supporting electrolytes has continued. All electrolyte systems were investigated at Pt, Au, and Glassy Carbon working electrodes. Analysis of these data was accomplished by performing appropriate background subtractions to reveal net peaks due to Ce redox behavior. Successful identification of the Ce redox couple was achieved with all electrolyte/electrode systems, although a decline in peak resolution was observed with increasing acid concentration. Optimal conditions in this experiment were realized with a 6.0 mM Ce concentration, 0.1 M H₂SO₄ supporting electrolyte, and scan rate of 0.02 V/s.

An investigation into ionic strength is being conducted for the Ce system, using varying concentrations of K₂SO₄ in place of the H₂SO₄ supporting electrolyte solutions. The data suggests that acidity is the key variable in the system with higher resolution and lower splitting of the Ce³⁺/Ce⁴⁺ redox couple.

Finally, the investigation of the Sm redox couple was initiated by employing the conditions determined as optimal for the Ce experiment. Successful resolution of the Sm redox couple was accomplished using this system. Future work on this species will include further experiments, similar to those conducted for Ce, which will vary the working electrode and supporting electrolyte.

Keywords

Actinide elements; Americium; Cerium; Curium; Electrochemistry; Nuclear fuels; Oxidation-reduction reaction; Rare earth metals; Separation (Technology)

Controlled Subject

Actinide elements; Rare earth metals; Separation (Technology)

Disciplines

Analytical Chemistry | Chemistry | Nuclear | Oil, Gas, and Energy | Physical Chemistry

File Format

pdf

File Size

148 KB

Language

English

Rights

COPYRIGHT UNDETERMINED. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/

Repository Citation

Hatchett, D. W., Czerwinski, K. (2004). The Electrochemical Separation of Curium and Americium: Quaterly Report January - March 2004. 1-2.
Available at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/hrc_trp_separations/78