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Updated: Jun 28, 2026
12:22
Speciation and Bioavailability Measurements of Environmental Plutonium Using Diffusion in Thin Films
Published on: November 9, 2015
Determination of plutonium by two-step flow-coulometry at the column electrode
S Kihara1, T Yamamoto, K Motojima
1Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute, Tokai-mura, Naka-gun, Ibaraki-ken, Japan.
Talanta
|May 1, 1972
Summary
A novel two-step flow-coulometry method rapidly determines plutonium in solution. This electroanalytical technique precisely quantifies plutonium by reducing and then oxidizing it, offering high accuracy and minimal sample requirements.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Electrochemistry
- Nuclear Chemistry
Background:
- Accurate determination of elements like plutonium in various oxidation states is crucial for nuclear science and environmental monitoring.
- Existing methods for plutonium determination can be time-consuming and require larger sample volumes.
- Controlling oxidation states is essential for precise quantification in solution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a rapid and efficient method for determining plutonium in solution using flow-coulometry.
- To establish a two-step electrochemical process for selective plutonium analysis.
- To minimize sample volume and analysis time for plutonium determination.
Main Methods:
- A two-step flow-coulometry system was designed with specific electrode potentials for sequential reduction and oxidation.
- Plutonium ions were reduced to Pu(III) at the first electrode (+0.10 to +0.35 V vs. Ag-AgCl).
- Pu(III) was then oxidized to Pu(IV) at the second electrode (+0.75 V vs. Ag-AgCl), with quantification via coulombs.
Main Results:
- The method successfully determined plutonium in a 0.5M sulfuric acid medium.
- Interference from diverse ions was eliminated through electroanalysis at the first electrode.
- The analysis required approximately a 10-mul sample and was completed within 1 minute.
Conclusions:
- The developed two-step flow-coulometry method provides a rapid and selective approach for plutonium determination.
- This technique offers advantages in terms of speed, sample volume, and interference elimination compared to conventional methods.
- The method is applicable to elements existing in multiple oxidation states, with plutonium as a primary example.
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