A Fluorous phosphate for the extraction of Zr(IV) from HNO solution; Comparison with tri--butyl phosphate

Ueda, Yuki   ; Kikuchi, Kei; Sugita, Tsuyoshi   ; Tokunaga, Kohei   ; Motokawa, Ryuhei   ; Naganawa, Hirochika  

The extraction and separation of Zr(IV) as a major fission product from aqueous HNO solutions have been investigated extensively because the presence of Zr in the TBP-based PUREX process for reprocessing spent nuclear fuel is problematic. Moreover, the formation of liquid-liquid (water, oil) interfacial cruds or a third phase during Zr extraction by TBP from HNO aqueous solution occurs with a high metal loading in the organic phase. In this study, we develop a fluoroalkylated phosphate (TFP) for Zr(IV) extraction to increase the extractability and prevent third-phase formation. We investigated the extraction performance and mechanism of TFP extraction of Zr(IV) from HNO solutions into perfluorohexane and compared them with the conventional organic extraction system using TBP in n-octane. The Zr(IV) extraction strength of TFP in the fluorinated diluent perfluorohexane was much higher than that of TBP in n-octane.