Radiolytic degradation of TBP-HNO₃ system: gas chromatographic determination of radiation chemical yields of n-Butanol and nitrobutane

Abstract

Radiolytic degradation of the TBP-HNO₃ system has been studied for the radiation dose range of 19.8 to 262 kGy by the gas chromatographic method. n-Butanol and nitrobutane formed due to irradiation have been identified and estimated in pure TBP, TBP-3M HNO₃ extract and TBP-5M HNO₃ extract. The G-values (radiation chemical yields) of n-butanol are determined to be 0.28, 0.77 and 0.47 for a pure TBP, TBP-3M HNO3 extract and TBP-5M HNO₃ extract, respectively. The G-values of nitrobutane (1-nitrobutane) are 0.55 and 1.09 for TBP-3M HNO₃ extract and TBP-5M HNO₃ extract. It is found than G (n-butanol) is less for TBP-5M HNO₃ extract than for TBP-3M HNO₃ extract, while G (nitrobutane) is grater for TBP-5M HNO₃ extract than for TBP-3M HNO₃ extract. This is explained on the basis of the formation of TBP.HNO₃ species and the role played by nitric acid in the TBP phase.