The preparation of precisely defined lithium isotope mixtures

The need for accurate (< 0.06%) isotopic blends of ⁶Liand ⁷Li is explained and their preparation is discussed. It is shown that lithium must be determined at an accuracy level better than 0.035%. Four methods — acid-base titration with hydrochloric acid or benzoic acid, and weighing as sulphate or carbonate — were tested and improved for the precise and accurate analysis of lithium hydroxide solutions. The results of these four methods for a 0.1 M solution agreed within ± 0.02%. The preparation of pure isotopically enriched lithium hydroxide solutions, with specially purified cation- and anion-exchangers, is described. The prepared products contain as little as 100 μg of other alkali metals and 50 μg of alkaline-earth metals per gram of lithium, and are sufficiently free of anions to permit accurate chemical assay of lithium. No changes in the isotopic compositions of 99% ⁶Li or 99.99% ⁷Li were detected during the treatment.