Ionic liquids are promising media for extracting and separating palladium (Pd) from spent nuclear fuel. They are safer to use because of their negligible vapor pressure, thermal stability and non-flammability. In addition, their good conductivity, wide electrochemical window, low air and water content make electrodepositon of many metals possible without interference from hydrogen generation. Hence a detailed study of behavior of Pd in suitable ILs was carried out. First, ILs that could dissolve Pd salts were investigated. ILs with various combinations of cations and anions were used. The dissolution of the Pd ions was mainly determined by the anions of the ILs. ILs with strongly coordinating anions such as dicyanamide and chloride were able to easily dissolve the Pd salt. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) studies showed that the Pd ions have intricate behavior depending on the ILs. For example, CVs showed three clearly separated reduction peaks of Pd species in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim][Cl]), while only two distinct peaks were observed in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide ([Bmim][DCA]) indicating that the Pd species behave differently in these ILs which could be attributed to the speciation of Pd by the anions. Similarly, effect of cations on the reduction behavior of the Pd species was studied. Also, different salts of Pd at various concentrations were used to understand further the electrochemical behavior of Pd in the ILs.

Electrochemical behavior of palladium in ionic liquids

248th National Meeting (2014)

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