Synthesis of Zirconium Phosphate, HZr₂(PO₄)₃, in Pores of Silica Beads and Some Ion Exchange Separation Properties of the Composite Obtained

Abstract

Zirconium phosphate, HZr₂(PO₄)₃ (HZP), was synthesized in inner pores of highly porous silica beads, and the ion exchange properties of HZP-loaded silica beads (HZP-SiO₂) thus obtained were examined. The ion exchange properties of HZP-SiO₂ were basically equivalent to those of HZP in the form of powders. Chromatographic lithium isotope separation was attempted using HZP-SiO₂ as column packing material. The heavier isotope was effectively accumulated in the frontal part of the lithium chromatogram. However, the tailing phenomenon was observed at the rear boundary of the chromatogram, and no effective accumulation of the isotope separation effect was observed in the tail.

Keywords:

• HZr₂(PO₄)₃-loaded silica beads
• lithium isotopes
• lithium isotope separation
• separation factor
• zirconium phosphate

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to acknowledge Professor Y. Fujii, Tokyo Institute of technology (Titech) for offering the use of mass spectrometers and Dr. M. Nomura, Titech, for his assistance in the measurement of lithium isotopic ratios.

Notes

^a bt = breakthrough; rbt = reverse breakthrough; b = band.