POTENTIOMETRIC-CONTROLLED EXCHANGE OF ACTINIDE AND LANTHANIDE CATIONSBY ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTING POLYMERS BASED RESIN

Polypyrrole polystyrene sulfonate resins have been electrochemically s ynthesized, and the ability of these films to control potentiometrical ly the exchange of thorium, uranium and lanthanum cations has been stu died using electrochemical and nuclear methods (a counting, RES). The actual effect of the applied potential on the exchange process has bee n demonstrated. The effect of various parameters on the Th cation bind ing, such as the polymer thickness and the oxidation state of the resi n, has also been studied. A low incorporation of uranium has been obse rved and rationalized by the redox instability of the polymer resin. T he reversibility of the Th and La exchange has also been quantified an d optimized.