γ-radiation effect on dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 aqueous solution in the presence of metal cations

gamma-radiation effect on dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 (DCH18C6) aqueous solution in the presence of metal cations, such as K+ and Sr2+, was investigated, and some pale yellow precipitates were obtained at doses above 100 kGy. It was found that the complexation interaction of metal cations could accelerate the conversion of DCH18C6 into oligomers and the formation of precipitates, but it did not affect the formation mechanism of precipitates. Furthermore, the salting-out effect of metal cations played an important role in the precipitation. In order to inhibit the radiation-induced precipitation of DCH18C6 in water phase, nitric acid with a concentration of more than 1 M could be added to the system. The methods and results for analyzing radiation-induced products reported in this work are useful to understand the radiation chemistry behavior of DCH18C6 which is used as the extractant in the separation of long half-life radionuclides from spent nuclear fuel.