I&EC 156 |
| The separation of americium and curium from fission products especially the +3 lanthanides remains a difficult problem because of the similarities in the aqueous chemistry of these elements. Current research has focused on the use of soft donor groups that have a greater affinity for the trivalent actinides than for the lanthanides. The extractant 2,6-bis(5,6-di-ethyl-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl-pyridine), BTP, and was impregnated on an inert polymeric support using dichloroethane as the solvent. The uptake of Am(III) and Eu(III) by this material from nitric acid solutions was studied. The resulting dry weight distribution ratios illustrate that resin favors the uptake of americium over that of europium. Subsequent column studies showed excellent separation of Am(III) from Eu(III) using 0.50 M HNO3 as the eluent. A second chromatographic material has been prepared using a substituted thiophosphinic acid in combination with a neutral synergistic reagent. This material shows excellent promise for separations of the minor actinides from the light lanthanides. The ability of these resins to aid in the separation of minor actinides from lanthanides will be discussed as well as possible analytical applications of these materials. |
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Separation of f-Elements, Sponsored by Separation Science and Technology Sub-Division
1:45 PM-4:45 PM, Wednesday, 13 September 2006 Moscone Center -- Room 250, Oral
Division of Industrial & Engineering Chemistry |