Ionic liquids-based extraction: A promising strategy for the advanced nuclear fuel cycle

A study was conducted to demonstrate that ionic liquids-based extraction had emerged as a potential strategy for the advanced nuclear fuel cycle (NFC). The advanced NFC maximized fuel resource utilization, reduced the volume and toxicity of nuclear waste, facilitated handling and transportation, and saved on geological repository costs. Room-temperature ionic liquids (ILs), a novel type of solvent, showed significant potential as a separation technology for the advanced NFC. Room-temperature ionic liquids were defined as room-temperature molten salts, which were composed of cations and anions, and their melting points were below 100 °C. The ILs gained significance for their preparation, purification, physicochemical properties, solvation environment, partitioning behavior, and extraction mechanism, along with strategies for improvement and a forecast of IL-based extraction from the viewpoint of promising technologies for the advanced NFC.