Potgieter, M.Van der Spoel Badenhorst, W.D.Van der Westhuizen, D.J.Krieg, H.M.2020-10-012020-10-012020Potgieter, M. et al. 2020. Feasibility of electro-reduction of U(VI) in oxalic acid using an electrolytic CEM-separated cell. Journal of radioanalytical and nuclear chemistry, 326:1505-1510. [https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-020-07367-3]0236-57311588-2780 (Online)http://hdl.handle.net/10394/35842https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10967-020-07367-3https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-020-07367-3The feasibility of electrolytic stripping of U(VI) using an electrolytic separation cell with anode and cathode compartments, separated by a cation exchange membrane (CEM), was investigated as a possible final step in a traditional solvent extraction process to recover uranium. The reduction mechanism of U(VI)–U(IV) in oxalic acid was compared with the well-known nitric acid and hydrazine mechanism. It was shown that a similar mechanism was followed in both electrolytes, forming a U(V) intermediate followed by disproportionation to U(IV) and U(VI). Measurable amounts of U(IV) were produced and the transfer of U(VI) through the CEM with simultaneous electro-reduction to U(IV) was confirmedenUranium reductionOxalic acid electrolyteCation exchange membraneElectrolytic strippingArticle