New data on decomposition of nitric solutions of acetohydroxamic acid.

Acetohydroxamic acid (AHA) is an important complexant/reductant for Pu(IV) in the UREX process. It decomposes in the presence of nitric acid. In literature, its decomposition kinetics in nitric acid is traditionally reported as pseudo-first order reaction. In this study, new experimental data were reported for kinetics experiments under wide consecration conditions. It was found that the decomposition reaction was first order with respect to both the components hence overall second order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]