Abstract
The room temperature ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (C4mimCl), was prepared and studied for the feasibility of using C4mimCl for the dissolution of uranium oxide and subsequent recovery by electrodeposition. The dissolution behavior of uranium oxides, UO3 and UO2, in C4mimCl medium by chlorination reaction was studied as a function of uranium loading, at 353 K. The electrochemical behavior of U(VI) in the resultant solution was investigated by cyclic voltammetry at tungsten electrode. The cyclic voltammogram consisted of a prominent cathodic wave occurring at the potential of −1.0 V (Vs Pt) was due to the reduction of . Controlled potential electrolysis of the solution results in a deposition of UO2. The electrodeposition of UO2 from C4mimCl medium was studied as a function of uranium loading. The results indicated that the recovery of uranium was quantitative within eight hours, when the solution obtained after the dissolution of UO3 was subjected to electrolysis. However, the recovery of uranium was less when the solution obtained after the dissolution of UO2 was subjected to electrolysis under similar conditions.
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