Uptake and perturbed angular correlation study of hafnium in Nafion-117

The % uptake of Hf by Nafion-117 ion-exchange membrane was measured at varying H+ concentrations to see the effect of polymerisation of Hf on its uptake by the membrane. Also polymerisation of Hf inside Nafion-117 ionomer was probed using perturbed angular correlation technique. The % uptake of Hf per mg of Nafion was found to be maximum at 0.5N HCl and decreased on lowering of acidity due to polymerisation of Hf in the solution itself and in the higher acidity the H+ ions compete with Hf to reduce the uptake. The PAC pattern showed a trend that the Hf is taken up at lower acidities in polymeric form by the membrane. (author). 3 refs., 1 fig