Efficient Plutonium Extraction and Electrochemical Insights in a Hydrophobic Deep Eutectic Solvent for Radioactive Waste Management

Abstract

In this study, we explore the extraction and electrochemical characteristics of Plutonium using a hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent (DES) consisting of tetra-Butyl Ammonium Bromide(TBABr) as the hydrogen bond acceptor and Decanoic acid (DA) as the hydrogen bond donor in a 1:2 ratio composition. Hydrophobic DES possesses unique attributes, such as low volatility and a high affinity for metal ions, making it a promising choice for Plutonium extraction. We systematically investigate the influence of various parameters, including DES composition, acid concentration, and extraction duration. Our extraction experiments reveal that the hydrophobic DES exhibits its maximum Plutonium extraction efficiency (95%) at a 4 M HNO3 concentration, with a distribution coefficient (D) reaching nearly 71. To gain insights into the electrochemical behavior of Plutonium within the hydrophobic DES, we conduct cyclic voltammetry experiments. The resulting voltammograms offer valuable insights into the redox properties and stability of Plutonium species within the DES. Furthermore, we analyze the impact of potential scan rate on the electrochemical response, shedding light on the kinetics and mechanisms underlying Plutonium electrochemistry within the hydrophobic DES. These findings underscore the considerable potential of hydrophobic DES for efficient Plutonium extraction and electrochemical separation. This research contributes to the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly approaches for managing Plutonium, particularly in the context of nuclear waste disposal