Premium
Characterization of zirconium complexes of interest in spent nuclear fuel reprocessing by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Author(s) -
Lamouroux C.,
Moulin C.,
Tabet J. C.,
Jankowski C. K.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
rapid communications in mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.528
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1097-0231
pISSN - 0951-4198
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0231(20001015)14:19<1869::aid-rcm108>3.0.co;2-p
Subject(s) - chemistry , electrospray ionization , characterization (materials science) , mass spectrometry , zirconium , extractive electrospray ionization , spent nuclear fuel , electrospray mass spectrometry , radiochemistry , electrospray , chromatography , sample preparation in mass spectrometry , nuclear chemistry , inorganic chemistry , nanotechnology , materials science
Liquid‐liquid extraction of zirconium, one of the most important fission products, was followed using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry under conditions simulating reprocessing of nuclear spent fuel. Zr IV can precipitate from the organic phase after extraction by dibutylphosphoric acid (HDBP), the most common degradation product of tributylphosphate (TBP) radiolysis. Different complexes were detected with electrospray used in positive or negative ion modes, according to the extraction conditions such as the ligand/metal ratio. Stoichiometry of the Zr IV complexes was determined by combining isotopic labeling [H 15 NO 3 ] of the aqueous phase in the extraction system and tandem mass spectrometry experiments. These results were compared with the species observed using other techniques reported in the literature. The mechanisms of ionization/desorption of these complexes are proposed depending on the organic ligand character (neutral (L) such as TBP, or acidic (HL′) such as HDBP), and the ionization mode used. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.