Solvent Extraction and Extraction Chromatographic Separation of Am³⁺ and Eu³⁺ from Nitrate Medium using Cyanex^® 301

Abstract

The separation behavior of trivalent actinides and lanthanides from aqueous nitrate medium has been investigated using purified commercial Cyanex^® 301 [bis(2,4,4‐trimethylpentyl)dithiophosphinic acid] in toluene by solvent extraction as well as by extraction chromatography. The separation studies were carried out using Am³⁺ and Eu³⁺ as the representative actinide and lanthanide ion, respectively. The stoichiometry of the extracted species as determined by the slope‐analysis method was Am(A)₃ and Eu(A)₂(NO₃), when HA (Cyanex 301) concentration was <0.3 M. At a higher extractant concentration, the stoichiometry of the extracted Eu complex was Eu(A)₃. Extraction chromatographic studies were carried out in the presence of several complexing agents that tend to influence the separation factor (D _Am/D _Eu) values. The solvent extraction and extraction chromatographic studies have yielded separation‐factor values of 4900 and 526, respectively.

Keywords:

• Lanthanide
• actinide
• separation
• Cyanex^® 301^†
• solvent extraction
• extraction chromatography

Notes

^†Registered trademark of Cytec Corp.