Magnesium ionophore II as an extraction agent for trivalent europium and americium

Abstract

Abstract Solvent extraction of microamounts of trivalent europium and americium into nitrobenzene by using a mixture of hydrogen dicarbollylcobaltate (H+B−) and magnesium ionophore II (L) was studied. The equilibrium data were explained assuming that the species HL+, H L 2 + ${\rm{HL}}_2^ + $ , M L 2 3 + ${\rm{ML}}_2^{3 + }$ , and M L 3 3 + ${\rm{ML}}_3^{3 + }$ (M3+ = Eu3+, Am3+; L=magnesium, ionophore II) are extracted into the nitrobenzene phase. Extraction and stability constants of the cationic complex species in nitrobenzene saturated with water were determined and discussed. From the experimental results it is evident that this effective magnesium ionophore II receptor for the Eu3+ and Am3+ cations could be considered as a potential extraction agent for nuclear waste treatment.