Catalytic reduction of U(VI) using membrane based catalyst

A neutral polymeric membrane has been developed to host Palladium nano particles by self reducing Pd²⁺ to Pd⁰ using hydrazine as a reducing agent which was covalently attached to the host membrane by reacting with glycidyl methacrylate. The as formed Pd nano particles have been tested for their catalytic activity, for production of U(IV) from Uranyl nitrate using formic acid as a reducing agent at 50 ⁰C. The UO₂²⁺ ions reduction to U⁴⁺ ions has been selected due to its technological importance in the nuclear industries and also difficulty in the reduction of UO₂²⁺ ions. (author)