Specific Features of Electrochemical Oxidation of Pu(III) in a Diaphragmless Cell in Hydrazine-Containing Nitric Acid Solutions

Abstract

Oxidation of Pu(III) in a diaphragmless cell with a Ti cathode and a Pt anode in 1.0–3.9 M HNO₃ solutions containing 4.5 × 10⁻²–1.8 × 10⁻¹ M hydrazine was studied. The final solutions contain, along with Pu(IV), also a small amount of Pu(VI), increasing with an increase in the current density. Methods allowing minimization of the Pu(VI) amount in the solutions after the electrolysis were suggested. The possible process mechanism involving reactions of Pu ions at the electrodes and in the bulk of the solution with HNO₂ was considered.