The hydrolysis, colloid formation and solubility of Np(IV) are investigated
in aqueous HClO4-NaClO4 solutions (log [H+] = 0 to - 2.5) by absorption sp
ectroscopy in the wavelength range of 680-1000nm. Applying Laser induced ph
otoacoustic spectroscopy (LPAS) in the range of 680-760 nm, the study is ex
tended to low Np(IV) concentrations of 10(-6) mol/l in DClO4-NaClO4-D2O sol
utions up to log [D+] = -3.3. Laser induced breakdown detection (LIBD) demo
nstrates the formation of Np(IV) colloids when the Np(IV) concentration exc
eeds the solubility of Np(OH)(4)(am) at given pH. The simultaneous decrease
of the Np(IV) absorption bands at 723 and 960 nm cannot be ascribed to the
formation of the mononuclear complex Np(OH)(3+) as assumed in the literatu
re. It is found to be caused by polynucleation. In undersaturated Np(IV) so
lutions below 10(-4) mol/l. the position and intensity of the absorption ma
ximum at 723 nm are practically insensitive to the pH change. In oversatura
ted solutions the absorption band decreases significantly. The spectroscopi
cally determined pH-dependent equilibrium concentration of mononuclear Np(I
V) species above freshly formed solid or colloidal Np(IV) particles indicat
es that Np(OH)(2)(2+) is the predominant species in the pH range of 1.5-3.
This finding is in agreement with the Np(IV) hydrolysis constants reported
in the literature from a solvent extraction study with Np-239(IV) trace con
centrations. The solubility product of freshly formed Np(OH)?(am) par tides
is determined to be log K ' (sp) = -54.4 +/- 0.4 in 0.1 M HClO4-NaClO4 and
log K degrees (sp) = -56.5 +/- 0.4 (converted to I = 0 by applying the SIT
).