Effect of irradiation on the hydrodynamic parameters and extraction efficiency of several frequently used ionic liquids

Abstract Several commonly studied room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) were studied for their radiolytic stability by exposing to gamma ray dose up to a maximum of 1000 kGy. The RTILs are C n mim•X (where, n = 4, 6, and 8 and X = PF 6 or NTf 2 ) and were irradiated in a gamma ray chamber as such in stoppered glass tubes. Post irradiations, the RTILs appeared deeply colored and were characterized by FTIR and the hydrodynamic parameters such as density, viscosity, interfacial tension (IFT). The extraction properties of the RTILs were examined for water as well as nitric acid uptake and also for the extraction of U O 2 2 + ion, a representative actinide ion present in radioactive feeds, using TBP using the irradiated RTILs. The results obtained with the irradiated RTILs were compared with the pristine RTILs and discussion is made taking note of the existing literature.