Decomposition of uranyl peroxo-carbonato complex ion in the presence of metal oxides in carbonate media

Uranium oxide was dissolved in the form of the uranyl peroxo-carbonato complex ion, UO₂(O₂)(CO₃)₂^4- in carbonate solutions with hydrogen peroxide. When UO₂ (O₂)(CO₃)₂^4- ions lose their peroxide component, they become a stable species of uranyl tricarbonato complex ion, UO₂(O₂)(CO₃)₂^4-. The uranyl peroxo-carbonato complex self-decomposed more rapidly into the uranyl tricarbonato complex ion in the presence of a metal oxide in the carbonate solution. In this study, decomposition of the uranyl peroxo-carbonato complex in a carbonate solution was investigated in the presence of several metal oxides using absorption spectroscopy. (author)