The selective extraction of the minor actinides (Am(III) and Cm(III)) from the lanthanides is an important part of advanced reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel.  This separation would allow the Am/Cm to be fabricated into a target and recycled to a reactor and the lanthanides to be disposed.  This separation is difficult to accomplish due to the similarities in the chemical properties of the trivalent actinides and lanthanides.  Research efforts at the Idaho National Laboratory have identified an innovative synthetic pathway yielding new regiospecific dithiophosphinic acid (DPAH) extractants.  The synthesis improves DPAH designs that can address the issues concerning minor actinide separation and extractant stability.  Several new symmetric and asymmetric DPAH extractants have been prepared.  The use of these extractants for the separation of minor actinides from lanthanides will be discussed.  In addition, the possible role of the diluent in the selective separation of minor actinides from lanthanides will be discussed.<br/>

Separation of minor actinides from lanthanides in acidic media using symmetric and asymmetric dithiophosphinic acid extractants

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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