Radiation effect on ionic liquid [Hbet][Tf2N] for Nd2O3 separation from simulated spent nuclear fuels.

Radiation-chemical stability of ionic liquid [Hbet][Tf2N] has been investigated under gamma irradiation for Nd2O3 separation from simulated spent nuclear fuels. It was found that Nd2O3 dissolution decreases with increasing absorbed dose of [Hbet][Tf2N]. However, the dissolution ability of irradiated [Hbet][Tf2N] to Nd2O3 can be regenerated after washing with water. The radiolytic products of [Hbet][Tf2N] were identified by EMI–MS, and [Hbet]+ group occurred a little radiolysis during irradiation. The UV–Visible spectra shown an increase in absorption around 275 nm probably due to the radiolysis of [Hbet][Tf2N]. FTIR spectra shown little variation around 1730 cm−1 under high radiation dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]