Complexation of Tc(IV) with EDTA at varying ionic strength of NaCl

Abstract

Abstract The stability constant for Tc(IV)/EDTA complexes were determined using a solvent extraction technique at varying ionic strength (NaCl) and the specific ion interaction theory model allowed for calculating stability constants at zero ionic strength. The stability constants at zero ionic strength for the formation of the TcOEDTA2− and TcOHEDTA− complexes are 1020.0 ± 0.4 and 1025.3 ± 0.5, respectively. The modeled Tc(IV) solubility was calculated to be 3.9 × 10−7 M at near-neutral pH and in presence of 2.5 mM EDTA, a result found to be in good agreement with published solubility experimental data. Speciation calculations showed that TcOEDTA2− is the predominant species between pH 4 and 7.5 in presence of 0.171 mM EDTA, while TcO(OH)2 0 is predominant in basic solution. These studies show that EDTA has a very strong affinity for complexation with Tc(IV) and can increase the environmental mobility of Tc(IV).