Malonamide viewed by neutron reflectivity

Micheau, C.; 上田 祐生; 元川 竜平; Moussaoui, S.*; Makombe, E.*; Daniel, M.*; Berthon, L.*; Bourgeois, D.*; 阿久津 和宏*

no journal, , 

The DIAMEX process aims to separate minor f-elements using malonamide as extractant molecules such as N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-dibutyl-tetradecyl-malonamide (DBMA). Recently, Poirot studied the effect of n-heptane and toluene on the selectivity of DBMA between Pd and Nd and have conclude that Pd extraction is driven by coordination whereas Nd extraction is driven by extractant aggregation. More recently, a specific study on tetrahexylmalonamide (THMA) in toluene demonstrated a superior selectivity for Pd compared to DBMA. THMA molecular structure suggests poor aptitude for aggregation compared with DBMA, and has been much less characterized. Supramolecular features of two different solvent extraction systems based on malonamide extractants, THMA in toluene and DBMA in heptane, have been studied using characterization techniques dedicated to bulk organic phase organisation, ie. small angle X-ray scattering, and to interface characterization, ie. neutron reflectivity and interfacial tension.