In this study, Np(V) retention on Illite du Puy (IdP) was investigated since it is essential for understanding the migration behavior of Np in argillaceous environments. The presence of structural Fe(III) and Fe(II) in IdP was confirmed by Fe K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. In batch sorption experiments, a higher Np sorption affinity to IdP was found than to Wyoming smectite or iron-free synthetic montmorillonite. An increase of the relative Np(IV) ratio sorbed onto IdP with decreasing pH was observed by solvent extraction (up to (24 ± 2)% at pH 5, c0(Np) = 10-6 mol/L). Furthermore, up to (33 ± 5)% Np(IV) could be detected in IdP diffusion samples at pH 5. Respective Np M5-edge high-energy resolution (HR-) XANES spectra suggested the presence of Np(IV/V) mixtures and weakened axial bond covalency of the NpO2+ species sorbed onto IdP. Np L3-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis showed that significant fractions of Np were coordinated to Fe─O entities at pH 9. This highlights the potential role of Fe(II/III) clay edge sites as a strong Np(V) surface complex partner and points to the partial reduction of sorbed Np(V) to Np(IV) via structural Fe(II).
Keywords: clay; diffusion; high-energy resolution X-ray absorption near-edge structure (HR-XANES) spectroscopy; neptunium; solvent extraction; sorption.