Dissolution of Zr in a mixture of H2SO4 and HNO3

Zr metal readily dissolved in a mixture of H2SO4 and HNO3. The solubility of Zr in a 10% mixture (96 wt% H2SO4:61 wt% HNO3 = 9:1 volumetric mixture) reached approximately 34 g/L. It was found that NO2+ and H2SO4 are consumed to form NO2, NO+, and HSO4- upon the dissolution of Zr. Finally, two possible dissolution mechanisms are discussed.