Speciation of U(VI) sorbed onto ZrP2O7 in the presence of citric and oxalic acid

Abstract

Abstract In the field of nuclear waste management, prediction of radionuclide migration through the geosphere has to take into account the effects of organic matter. This work deals with the effects of organic acids (citric and oxalic acid) on speciation of uranium(VI) sorbed onto zirconium diphosphate (ZrP2O7). Surface properties of zirconium diphosphate and its uranium(VI) sorption capability in the presence and absence of organic acids were previously studied. The preliminary study suggested that organic acids take part in the sorption equilibria. In order to understand the interactions between organic ligands (citrate or oxalate), uranium(VI) and zirconium diphosphate, a luminescence spectroscopy study was carried out. Luminescence measurements indicated that only one uranium(VI) surface complex is formed when citric or oxalic acid is present. Moreover, the total carbon content in the studied samples indicated that organic ligands remain on the surface when uranium(VI) sorption is carried out. Uranium sorption edges were then fitted with the FITEQL4.0 code [15] and the constant capacitance model (CCM). Spectroscopy information was used to constraint the modeling. The best fit for the U(VI)/citrate/ZrP2O7 and U(VI)/oxalate/ZrP2O7 systems considered the formation of a ternary surface complex.