Qualitative and semi-quantitative study of radiolytic products of tributyl phosphate-functionalized ionic liquids

Tributyl phosphate-functionalized ionic liquids (TBPs-ILs) have excellent separation performance for actinides and are expected to be used in spent fuel reprocessing. In this study, the radiolytic products of the TBPs-ILs were studied by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and theoretical calculations. The results showed that the substitution reaction mainly occurred on the alkyl chains of phosphate groups, and the main radiolytic products were identified as TBPs-ILs-CF3. Finally, the radiolysis mechanism of TBPs-ILs under gamma irradiation was also proposed.