Separation of 97Ru from niobium target using PEG based aqueous biphasic systems

Separation of no-carrier-added (NCA) ⁹⁷Ru from bulk niobium target has been carried out for the first time using green analytical technique, aqueous biphasic system. 50 % (w/v) polyethylene glycol (PEG)-4000, against 2 M solutions of various salts such as Na-citrate, Na-tartarate, Na-malonate, Na₂CO₃, NaHSO₃, Na₂SO₄, Na₂S₂O₃ K₂HPO₄, K₃PO₄, K₂CO₃ and 4 M KOH were employed at room temperature for the extraction of NCA ⁹⁷Ru from bulk niobium. Influence of molecular weight of PEG rich phase as well as pH of some salt rich phase (e.g., Na-tartarate) on the extraction behaviour of NCA ⁹⁷Ru into PEG rich phase was also observed. In the presence of sodium-tartarate salt solution, when volume of PEG-4000: Na-tartarate was 3:1, 91 % of NCA ⁹⁷Ru was extracted into the PEG rich phase without any contamination of niobium target. Dialysis of PEG rich phase containing NCA ⁹⁷Ru was carried out against deionised water to obtained pure NCA ⁹⁷Ru.