Propagation of U(V)-reduction in the presence of U(IV) aggregate in a weakly acidic solution

Kitatsuji, Yoshihiro  ; Otobe, Haruyoshi  ; Kimura, Takaumi ; Kihara, Sorin*

Reduction processes of U(VI) in weakly acidic solutions were investigated based on electrochemical and spectrophotometric measurements. A reversible one-electron reduction of U(VI) to U(V) and a further irreversible reduction of U(V) were observed voltammetrically at a gold microdisk electrode in solutions of pH from 2.0 to 3.5. Aggregates of U(IV) were formed as a deposit on the electrode and a colloid in the bulk solution, when the electrolysis was carried out at a gold gauze electrode, even though the potential applied was that available for the first one-electron reduction wave of U(VI) observed. It was elucidated that the aggregate was produced by the combination of the one-electron reduction to U(V) and the disproportionation of U(V) producing U(IV) and U(VI). The aggregate enhanced the rate of the disproportionation of U(V), and hence the reduction current of U(VI) increased abruptly when a definite amount of aggregate was formed on the electrode, in the solution, or both.