Effect of ionizing radiation on the extraction of Am(III) with p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene from alkaline carbonate solutions

Abstract

The effect of γ-irradiation of tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene (TCA) solutions in m-nitrobenzotrifluoride (NBTF) and tetrachloroethylene (TCE) on the extraction of ²⁴¹Am from alkaline carbonate solutions was studied. TCA itself remains stable upon γ-irradiation of its solutions in NBTF to a dose of 200 kGy, but the diluent undergoes strong degradation. The radiation resistance of TCA in TCE is considerably lower: A dose of 70 kGy causes complete degradation of TCA. In the TCA–TCE–aqueous phase system, sulfate ions appear upon γ-irradiation as the final product of the extractant radiolysis. A large number of γ-radiolysis products of TCE and TCA were detected by HPLC and GCMS. The products of radiolysis of TCA in TCE, compared to the initial extractant, have lower molecular mass and higher polarity. The results show that chlorinated diluents are not promising diluents for thiacalixarene in extraction processing of alkaline high-level waste.