Solubility Thermodynamics of CyMe-BTBP in Various Diluents Mixed with TBP

Journal article, 2018

The two organic ligands 6,6'-bis(5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobenzo[1,2,4]triazin-3-yl)[2,2']bipyridine (CyMe-BTBP) and tri-butyl phosphate (TBP) have previously been investigated in different diluents for use within recycling of used nuclear fuel through solvent extraction. The thermodynamic parameters, , , and , of the CyMe-BTBP solubility in three diluents (cyclohexanone, octanol and phenyl trifluoromethyl sulfone) mixed with TBP have been studied at 288, 298 and 308 K, both as pristine solutions and pre-equilibrated with 4 molL nitric acid. In addition, the amount of acid in the organic phase and density change after pre-equilibration have been measured. The solubility of CyMe-BTBP increases with an increased temperature in all systems, especially after acid pre-equilibration. This increased CyMe-BTBP solubility after pre-equilibration could be explained by acid dissolution into the solvent. Comparing the and calculated using with the same parameters derived from a linear fit indicates temperature independence of all three thermodynamic systems. The change in enthalpy is positive in all solutions.