Speciation of actinide ions in aqueous solution by laser-induced pulsed photoacoustic spectroscopy

The oxidation-state specific detection of actinide ions, U(VI), Pu(IV), Pu(VI), and Am(III), was investigated by pulsed laser photoacoustic spectroscopy. With a single-beam differential technique, the solvent effect is compensated and thus the detection sensitivity substantially increased. The observed detection sensitivities are: 8x10-7 M/L for U(VI); 7x10-8 M/L for Pu(IV); 3x10-8 M/L for Pu(VI) and 2x10-8 M/L for Am(III). The present method facilitates the study of complexation and polymerization of actinide ions in the submicromole concentration range. (orig.)