EFFECTS OF FE(III) IONS ON THE ELECTRODEPOSITION OF TRACE AMOUNTS OF PLUTONIUM AND AMERICIUM

The electrodeposition of Pu and Am onto stainless steel discs from 3.2 M ammonium chloride solution is strongly affected by the iron concentr ation of the electrolyte. At Fe(III) concentrations of more than 0.1mM (similar to 30 mu g Fe in 5 ml) only 30-40% of Pu-236 and 6% of Am-24 1 can be deposited. Tracer experiments with Fe-59 suggest that exchang e processes take place between Fe from the surface layer of the cathod e and from the electrolyte. Double tracer studies show increasing Pu-2 36/Fe-59- and decreasing Am-241/Fe-59-ratios with increasing iron cont ent of the electrolyte, which may be due to different sorption propert ies on colloidal iron hydroxides formed at pH less than or equal to 3. 6.