Abstract:
The complexation process of uranyl(Ⅵ) with trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) in trimethyl-butylammonium bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide (
N4111NTf
2) was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and IR and UV-vis spectrometry. The complex shows a vibronic progression with an average interval of (728±9)cm
-1 in its UV-vis spectrum. While the asymmetric stretching vibration frequency (
νas) of the complex is 926cm
-1 in its infrared spectrum. Two successive one-electon tranfer steps take place in the electroreduction process of the [UO
2(TOPO)
4]
2+, with the corresponding reduction peak potentials of
Epc1=-1.37V and
Epc2=-1.75V (vs. Ag
+/Ag). The first electron transfer step is quasi-reversible while the latter one is irreversible. The half wave potential of the quasi-reversible process of U(Ⅵ)→U(Ⅴ) is -1.33V, which is stable with respect to changes in scan speed and temperature. That implies the stablity of the process and the reduction product. The activation energy of the U(Ⅵ)→U(Ⅴ) reaction is calculated as (39.0±1.1)kJ/mol. The system may possess potential application prospect in the electroseparation process with ionic liquid.