The role of oxidants in Pu-Th separation studies employing di(2-ethylhexyl)isobutyramide (D2EHIBA) as extractant

Distribution studies of Pu and Th have been carried out under varying acidity/ligand concentrations to optimise the conditions for their separation employing di(2-ethylhexyl)isobutyramide (D2EHIBA) in n-dodecane as extractant. In view of the selective complexation of D2EHIBA towards hexavalent metal ions over tetravalent metal ions, the focus of the present work is to identify a suitable oxidant of Pu. Amongst various oxidising agents investigated for the oxidation of Pu to Pu(VI), AgO appears to be a promising candidate as (i) it is thermodynamically as well as kinetically a favourable oxidant and (ii) unlike Cr(VI) and Ce(IV), it is not co-extracted with Pu towards the organic phase