Study of electrochemical reduction of uranylnitrate in acetic acid solutions

Using polarographic method and a mercury cathode it has been ascertained that electrochemical reduction of UO2(NO3)2 in CH3COOH solutions occurs up to U(5) according to the mechanism similar to reduction mechanism in nitric acid solutions with pH axceeding 2. Hg, Ti and stainless steel proved the most appropriate substances for cathode material. Employment of stainless steel is aggravated by insignificant corrosion. On titanium cathode it proved possible to reduce solution of 1.6 mol/l UO2(NO3)2 into 5 mol/l CH3COOH in the presence of N2H4 with the current efficiency of 90%. In case of Hg cathode solution of 1.9 mol/l UO2(NO3)2 is reduced to 4-6 mol/l CH3COOH in the presence of N2H4 to 99.7%. 10 refs., 4 figs., 2 tabs