Americium volatility from ozonized alkaline solutions

The Am volatility from 4 M NaOH solutions in the course of their ozonation at 80°C was studied. The formation of volatile Am compounds under these conditions was proved by α-ray spectrometry. The whole set of data on the volatility and kinetics of reduction of ozonized Am solutions suggest possible formation of short-lived hydroxo complexes of Am in higher oxidation state, including Am(VIII), along with Am(VI) hydroxo complexes, with AmO₄ possibly existing in equilibrium with these Am(VIII) species. No Cm volatility was detected under the same conditions. The observed differences in the behavior of Pu and Am, on the one hand, and Np and Cm, on the other hand, under identical ozonation conditions are attributed to the ability of Pu and Am to be oxidized under these conditions to unstable octavalent state, responsible for their volatility.