OXIDATIVE DISSOLUTION OF PLUTONIUM DIOXIDE IN NITRIC-ACID IN THE PRESENCE OF OZONE .3. SEARCH FOR CATALYZING ANIONS

A study is made of the catalytic activities of oxygen-containing acids of the Group IV-VII elements in the course of the oxidative dissoluti on of plutonium dioxide in the presence of ozone. Acids with high ioni zation constants (HClO4, HBrO4, HMnO4, and HReO4) do not catalyze the oxidative dissolution of plutonium dioxide. Acids having ionization co nstants close to or lower than the second ionization constant of sulfu ric acid and forming stable complexes with plutonium(IV) efficiently c atalyze the process. Concentration limits of the catalytic activity ar e identified for these acids.