Solid phase extractants for actinide and lanthanide removal based on porous polymers impregnated with multidentate chelating ligands

Abstract

Introduction. Treatment and disposal of radioactive wastes as well as monitoring of radioactive isotope content in environmental objects are actual tasks in the developed world. Lanthanide and transuranium element removal from spent nuclear fuel of nuclear power plants allows decreasing waste amount to be dumped and diminishing the risk of environmental pollution by radionuclides. Problem Statement. Considering extreme radiotoxicity of transuranium elements and tight standards restricting their activity in air and water, there is an urgent need to develop accurate and highly sensitive methods for pollution control. Purpose. Development of solid phase extractants (SPEs) based on porous polymers impregnated with multidentate chelating ligands for lanthanide, uranium and transuranium element removal from aqueous solutions. Materials and Methods. The materials used are porous divinylbenzene polymers of POROLAS brand and styrene-divinylbenzene copolymers from Smoly SE (Kamianske); multidentate chelating ligands of actinides and lanthanides such as N,N,Ń,Ń-tetra-n-octyl-oxapentane-1,5-diamide (TODGA) and carbamoyl phosphine oxides (CMPO); sorbent from TrisKem (France) based on TRU Resin (Eichrom Industries, Inc.). The research techniques are inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, IR spectroscopy, scanning electron spectroscopy, spectrofluorimetry. Results. The solid-phase extractants (SPEs) for actinide and lanthanide removal from aqueous solutions have been synthesized by impregnation of porous polymeric POROLAS matrices and TODGA, CMPO-(PhOct) and CMPO-(Ph2). Sorption kinetics has been studied and capacity values for the different sorbents have been estimated. Extractive columns for uranium and europium concentration have been manufactured. Conclusions. SPEs studied demonstrate a high efficiency in removing uranium and europium from aqueous solutions. Due to their characteristics obtained materials may be used for preconcentration of target ions in radioecologycal monitoring procedures.