Oxidation of Pu(VI) with ozone and stability of the oxidation products, Pu(VII) and Pu(VIII), in concentrated alkali solutions

Abstract

Oxidation of Pu(VI) with ozone and stability of the oxidation products, Pu(VII) and Pu(VIII), in 4–15 M NaOH solutions were studied. In a wide range of alkali concentrations, from 1 to 15 M, the Pu(VI) ozonation yields a mixture of Pu(VII) and Pu(VIII). It was proved that Pu(VII) exists in aqueous alkali solutions in the form different from that suggested previously. Pu(VII) is readily reduced with ?2? in aqueous alkali solutions with the NaOH concentration of up to 8 M, whereas at [NaOH] + 8 M it is fairly stable. On the contrary, Pu(VIII) is noticeably reduced with water at room temperature throughout the examined range of NaOH concentrations from 1 to 15 M.