Extraction of americium and europium with functionalized calixarenes from alkaline solutions

Abstract

Extraction of ²⁴¹Am and ¹⁵²Eu from alkaline carbonate solutions with solutions of functionalized calix[4]arenes and their nonmacrocyclic analogs in m-nitrobenzotrifluoride was studied. The dependence of the distribution ratios and separation factors of the radionuclides on pH of the aqueous phase in the interval from 9.8 to 13.5 and on the position and electronic nature of functional groups (alkyl, pyridine, phosphoryl) in the calixarene core was examined. The composition of the extractable solvates of americium and europium with functionalized calix[4]arenes was determined. From both alkaline and nitric acid solutions, calixarenes extract americium more efficiently than their nonmacrocyclic analogs do. The calix[4]arene with the pyridine functional group exhibits the highest selectivity, with the Am/Eu separation factor exceeding 3. Calix[4]arenebis-(methanediphosphonates) extract europium and americium from both alkaline and nitric acid solutions with similar magnitude of the cooperative effect.