Separation of plutonium and americium by low-temperature fluorination

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0925-8388(94)90931-8

We have demonstrated separation of Pu and in-grown Am using the gaseous reagent dioxygen difluoride. Aged PuF₄ was fluorinated at room temperature to generate PuF₆ gas, which was trapped separately and reduced to PuF₄. The reaction product contained very little Am. Unreacted solid had elevated concentrations of Am that were consistent with a material balance. Use of a gaseous reagent and product enabled remote handling during reaction and purification. This result demonstrated a simple and minimal waste alternative that may have application to a number of actinide purification problems.