POTENTIOMETRIC DETERMINATION OF PLUTONIUM IN THE PRESENCE OF URANIUM.

A modification of Waterbury-Metz's method for the determination of plutonium has been proposed. Perchloric acid was used for the oxidation to Pu (VI) in the method, which, however, was dangerous for handling in plastic gloveboxes. Corpel applied argentic peroxide, but it was unstable.It is found by the authors that ammonium persulfate and silver nitrate is an effective oxidizer which is safely handled in plastic gloveboxes. Sulfuric acid (3 M) is conveniently used as an eluting reagent in the anionexchange technique, when separation of plutonium from metallic impurities is necessary.Interfering action of Pb and Th for the plutonium determination is pointed out in addition to the known interfering elements, Cr, Mn, V and Pt.