Abstract:
The influence of the concentration of HNO3, UO2(NO3)2 and irradiation dose on the change of Np valence states in the HNO3-UO2 (NO3)2 solution under irradiation of 60Co is studied.In the solution when Np is mainly in the Np (Ⅴ) state, under 60Co γ irradiation the redox reaction takes place to form Np (Ⅳ) and Np (Ⅵ), and the amount of these species dependes on the composition of solution and irradiation conditions. If Np is mainly in the Np (Ⅵ) and Np (Ⅳ) states, under irradiation the neptonium is reduced and oxidized respectively. The reaction mechanism of the change of Np valence states under 60Co irradiation is also discussed.