Di(2-ethylhexyl)sulfoxide as an extractant for plutonium(IV) from nitric acid medium

The liquid-liquid extraction behavior of plutonium(IV) from aqueous nitric acid media into n-dodecane by di(2-ethylhexyl)sulfoxide (DEHSO) was investigated over a wide range of conditions. Optimum-parameters such as the aqueous phase acidity, reagent and metal concentrations, etc., were established for efficient extraction-separation of tracer as well as macro levels of plutonium. It was found that the extraction increased with increasing nitric acid concentration up to 6M HNO3 and then decreased. Extraction also increased with increasing extractant concentration. After loading of the organic phase with 2 to 50 mg/ml of U(VI), extractability of Pu(IV) became considerably lower. Recovery of Pu(IV) from the organic phase was accomplished using dilute uranium(IV) nitrate as the strippant.