Extraction behavior of Am(III) and Eu(III) in 1,3-diketonate based ionic liquid

Solvent extraction of americium(III) and europium(III) from nitric acid medium is carried by the solution of a functionalized ionic liquid (FIL), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluoro 1,3-diketonate ([C 4 mim][hfac]) present in 1–butyl–3–methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethane-sulfonyl)imide, ([C 4 mim][NTf 2 ]) diluent. The distribution ratio of Am(III) and Eu(III) was measured as a function of pH, concentration of FIL, nature of diluent and temperature. The D values increases with increase in pH. The slope analysis method revealed involvement of three FILs in the complexation. Complete removal of metal ion from extracted phase using the nitric acid. A separation factor of 25 was achieved for Am(III) over Eu(III) using polycarboxylic acid (DTPA) solution.