A study of radiation effects on the extraction of americium(III) with acidic organophosphates

Radiation effects on the extraction of americium(III) with several dial kylphosphoric and monoalkylphosphoric acids have been studied comparatively. The extractants were exposed to 60Co γ-rays in the absence and presence of diluent and HNO3. The Df of Am(III) was measured and the yield of radiolytic products was determined after γ-irradiation as a function of the absorbed dose. Di(hexoxyethyl)phosphoric acid was the most susceptible to radiation among the extractants studied and its extractability was weakened by radiation regardless of the presence or absence of diluent or HNO3. Diisodecylphosphoric acid itself showed an enhancement upon irradiation but incurred a depressant effect upon intimate contact with HNO3. Mono(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid showed a decrease of the Df of Am(III), similarly to DIDPA in the presence of HNO3 during γ-irradiation. All the above extractants gave H3PO4 as the principal radiolytic product upon γ-irradiation upon intimate contact with HNO3 causing decreasing solely the extraction of Am(III). Di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid proved to be the most stable extractant to radiation among those studied. (author)