Dissolution of uranium dioxide powder in carbonate-peroxide solution

The effects of different dissolution parameters (solid-liquid ratio, peroxide concentration, carbonate concentration, countercation and pH) on the dissolution behavior of UO2 powder in carbonate-peroxide solution were investigated. The results indicate that increasing H2O2 concentration evidently enhances the dissolution of UO2, while increasing carbonate concentration has no apparent influence on the dissolution rate. (NH4)(2)CO3 presents a noticeable behavior over the performance of Na2CO3 at the same initial pH. Additionally, the dissolution behavior of UO2 is significantly affected by pH value, since the equilibrium concentration of uranium reached lowest in Na2CO3 solution at around initial pH 9.4.

Automated summary

The dissolution behavior of UO2 powder in carbonate-peroxide solution is influenced by different dissolution parameters. Increasing H2O2 concentration enhances UO2 dissolution, while increasing carbonate concentration has no significant influence. (NH4)2CO3 performs better than Na2CO3 at the same initial pH. Moreover, UO2 dissolution is significantly affected by pH value.