Actinide Complexes in Hydrometallurgical Separations: Observations on Complexation and Solvation

Though other approaches have positive features and could eventually supplant hydrometallurgical separations, solvent extraction and ion exchange (and related techniques) are technologically the most important methods for actinide processing and analysis, and likely will remain so for the next few decades. From uranium mining to actinide transmutation, increased understanding of the fundamental interactions between actinide cations, chelating agents, oxidizing and reducing agents, and the solvents (aqueous and non-aqueous) that serve as the medium for chemical manipulations is essential if these techniques are to advance in the 21st century. Research continues around the world in this field, principally in those countries actively involved in (or considering) actinide partitioning and recycle. In this presentation, the results of a variety of investigations designed to provide new insights into the nature of actinide interactions with solutes and solvents will be presented. Among the key issues discussed w...