Radiation chemistry of Pu(VI) in alkaline solution

The radiation chemistry of Pu(VI) in alkaline medium has not been well studied although some evidence of radiolytic oxidation has been reported. In this communication radiolytic oxidation of Pu(VI) to Pu(VII) in presence and absence of S2O8 has been described under different conditions. The present investigations indicate that the G[Pu(VII)] is of the order of 1.55 under certain conditions which is assumed due to the oxidation of Pu(VI) by SO4. The participation of SO4 in the formation of Pu(VII) is further supported by the flash photolytic investigations on the Pu(VI) solution in presence of S2O8 at pH approximately equal to 12. The results are discussed. (author)