Separation of Magnesium Isotopes by Chemical Exchange with Manganese (IV) Oxide

Abstract

Separation of magnesium isotopes was investigated by chemical ion exchange with manganese (IV) oxide using an elution chromatographic technique. The capacity of manganese (IV) oxide ion exchanger was 0.5 meq/g. The heavier isotopes of magnesium were concentrated in the manganese oxide phase, while the lighter isotopes were enriched in the solution phase. The glass ion exchange column used in our experiment was 35 cm long with inner diameter of 0.2 cm, and 1.0 M CH₃COONH₄ solution was used as an eluent. The single stage separation factor was determined according to the method of Glueckauf from the elution curve and isotopic assays. The separation factors of ²⁴Mg²⁺-²⁵Mg²⁺, ²⁴Mg²⁺-²⁶Mg²⁺, and ²⁵Mg²⁺-²⁶Mg²⁺ were 1.008, 1.014, and 1.006, respectively.

KEYWORDS:

• magnesium isotopes
• isotope separation
• manganese oxides exchanger
• capacity
• isotope effects
• elution chromatography
• manganese oxides