Extraction of Americium(III) and Europium(III) with Two Open-Chain Crown Ethers of Amide Type

Abstract

The extraction of Am3+ and Eu3+ from aqueous picric acid solution by N, N′-dinaphthyl-N, N′-diphenyl-3,6-dioxaoctanediamide (LI) and 1, 1′-(3, 6, 9-trioxaundecanedionyl)diphenothiazine (LII) was investigated by a radioactive tracer technique. Extraction distribution ratios of Am3+ and Eu3+ have been measured as a function of pH, picric acid concentration, extractant concentration, diluent and temperature. The extraction of Am3+ is preferred to that of Eu3+ for both LI and LII, and the latter gives larger separation factor than the former. The equilibrium constants and thermodynamic parameters of extraction reactions were also calculated.