Investigation of ionic liquids for efficient removal and reliable storage of radioactive iodine: a halogen-bonding case

Abstract

A series of ionic liquids (ILs) were investigated for removal and storage of radioactive iodine (I₂) waste released by nuclear power plants. The I₂ removal efficiency of ILs was dependent upon the anion species while cation species seemed to have little influence. Particularly, the I₂ removal efficiency of [Bmim][Br] was higher than 96% in 5 hours. The nitrogen gas sweeping tests showed that [Bmim][Br] holds I₂ tightly, and the leak of I₂ from it was negligible under daily life conditions. Spectroscopy studies indicated that high removal efficiencies and storage reliability of ILs were attributed to halogen bonding (XB).