1. Preparation of a new water soluble polynuclear peroxide complex of Pu(IV)
- Author
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Matthieu Virot, Dalodière, E., Dumas, T., Blanco, O. D., Wiss, T., Moisy, P., Nikitenko, S. I., CEA-Direction des Energies (ex-Direction de l'Energie Nucléaire) (CEA-DES (ex-DEN)), Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA), European Commission - Joint Research Centre [Karlsruhe] (JRC), CEA-DEN, and CADARACHE, Bibliothèque
- Subjects
[PHYS.NUCL] Physics [physics]/Nuclear Theory [nucl-th] ,Redox ,[PHYS.NUCL]Physics [physics]/Nuclear Theory [nucl-th] ,[PHYS.NEXP] Physics [physics]/Nuclear Experiment [nucl-ex] ,Ultrasons ,[PHYS.NEXP]Physics [physics]/Nuclear Experiment [nucl-ex] ,Sonochimie ,Plutonium ,Peroxides - Abstract
International audience; Due to its acido-basic, complexing and redox properties, hydrogen peroxide has been widely used in nuclear research and industry. Particularly, this salt-free reagent has been highly considered for the stabilization of Pu(IV) in acid conditions and the precipitation of Pu peroxides as precursors for PuO$_2$ preparation. The addition of H$_2$O$_2$ to Pu(VI) acid solutions allows its conversion into Pu(V) which disproportionates and allows the accumulation of Pu(IV).[1] Further addition of H$_2$O$_2$ may lead to Pu(III), or a mixture of Pu(IV) and Pu(III), through the generation of a Pu(IV) peroxo complexe which decompose in acid conditions.[1,2] The continuous addition of H$_2$O$_2$ to Pu(IV) acid solutions leads to the progressive formation of a brown peroxo complex which turns red before insoluble plutonium peroxide precipitate.[2,3] The structure of these complexes which have been postulated in 1949 still remains under debate. Since, only one Pu peroxo structure has been recently proposed and concerned a dimeric molecular compound prepared in alkaline conditions.[4] The current study focuses on the behavior of Pu(IV) aqueous solutions in slightly acid conditions in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. We particularly describe the first observation of a water soluble polynuclear peroxo complex of Pu(IV) which has, up to our knowledge, never been reported in the literature.