Cerium Ammonium Nitrate Solutions

[Ferru]

Hi guys!
I'm new on this forum. I'm a nuclear engineering working in Switzerland in a research institute. Nowadays I'm doing some experiments with Cerium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) used as surrogate of plutonium (much more safety!=).

My question:

I'm working with a 2.57m water solution of CAN. The pH is approaching 0 and this is a problem for me... Someone can explain to me where is coming from this acidity? Are the CeIV ions reacting with water and forming CeIV hydroxide (actually I don't think so because I can't see any precipitate, CeIVOH is insoluble). I want to increase the pH of the solution up to 3, it's possible to add some NaOH solution?

Many questions...and I'm not a chemical engineer! =)

Hope that someone can help me!

Thank you!
Ferru

 

[Compositepro]

How are you measuring pH? CAN is a powerful oxidizing agent. The oxidation potential may interfere with pH measurement. Also the reaction products with organic materials is acidic.