A highly efficient extraction system for Am( iii )–Cm( iii ) pair separation in spent nuclear fuel reprocessing

A highly efficient extraction system for Am( iii )–Cm( iii ) pair separation in spent nuclear fuel reprocessing Full article

Journal

Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers
ISSN: 2052-1553 , E-ISSN: 2052-1545

Output data

Year: 2026, Volume: 13, Pages: 555-563 Pages count : 9 DOI: 10.1039/d5qi01560j

Authors

Petrov V.G. ¹ , Matveev P.I. ¹ , Nenajdenko V.G. ¹ , Ustynyuk Yu.A. ¹ , Gloriozov I.P. ¹ , Evsiunina M.V. ¹ , Lemport P.S. ¹ , Avagyan N.A. ¹ , Petrov V.S. ¹ , Krot A.D. ¹ , Kalle P. ² , Khrustalev V.N. ^3,4 , Goletskiy N.D. ⁵ , Naumov A.A. ⁵ , Kalmykov S.N. ¹

Affiliations

1	Lomonosov Moscow State University, Department of Chemistry, Leninskie gory 1 bld. 3, 119991 Moscow, Russia
2	N.S. Kurnakov Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky pr. 31, 119991 Moscow, Russia
3	N.D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospekt 47, 119334 Moscow, Russia
4	Research Institute of Chemistry, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, Miklukho-Maklaya Street 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia
5	V.G. Khlopin Radium Institute, JSC, 2nd Murinsky Prospekt 28, 194021 Saint Petersburg, Russia

Funding (1)

N. D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry Russian Academy of Sciences

Closing the nuclear fuel cycle is a key objective in the development of Generation IV nuclear systems, enabling the recycling of actinides and reducing the long-term radiotoxicity of nuclear waste. Americium is a prime candidate for transmutation, but its effective use requires high-purity separation from chemically similar curium and lanthanides. In this work, we report the design, synthesis, and evaluation of a novel extractant, 4,7-dicyano-N,N′-diethyl-N,N′-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxamide (DAPhenCN), for selective separation of Am(III) from Cm(III). This extractant was selected for synthesis based on the DFT modeling results of the complexes of 4- and 7-disubstituted 1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxamides with Am(III), Cm(III) and lanthanides(III). Solvent extraction experiments revealed Am/Cm separation factors (SFAm/Cm) of 5–6, with favorable distribution ratios for counter-current processing. Crucially, DAPhenCN demonstrated excellent resistance to hydrolysis and radiolysis under α-, γ-, and electron-beam irradiation. Counter-current tests using real raffinates from VVER-1000 spent nuclear fuel reprocessing confirmed the robustness and efficiency of the extraction system, achieving >99% americium recovery and >99.9% curium purity. Light lanthanides partially co-extracted with Am(III), while heavier ones had no significant impact. The developed process enables the production of curium-free americium suitable for transmutation fuel fabrication, advancing the implementation of closed nuclear fuel cycles.

Petrov V.G. , Matveev P.I. , Nenajdenko V.G. , Ustynyuk Y.A. , Gloriozov I.P. , Evsiunina M.V. , Lemport P.S. , Avagyan N.A. , Petrov V.S. , Krot A.D. , Kalle P. , Khrustalev V.N. , Goletskiy N.D. , Naumov A.A. , Kalmykov S.N.
A highly efficient extraction system for Am( iii )–Cm( iii ) pair separation in spent nuclear fuel reprocessing
Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers. 2026. V.13. P.555-563. DOI: 10.1039/d5qi01560j WOS Scopus OpenAlex

Web of science:	WOS:001609451000001
Scopus:	2-s2.0-105027728682
OpenAlex:	W4415403598

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