Separation of lanthanides using ion-interaction chromatography with HDEHP coated columns

A rapid and high resolution separation of lanthanides by HPLC technique has been developed using Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (HDEHP) coated reverse phase column and a-hydroxy isobutyric acid as the complexing reagent for elution. A gradient elution technique has been developed for achieving the separation of the entire lanthanide series. Isocratic elution procedure has also been developed for the separation of lighter (La to Gd) as well heavier lanthanides (Lu to Tb). This paper describes the separation methods developed and their application for the determination of lanthanides in a fission product mixture.     

Group separation of trivalent actinides and lanthanides by tertiary pyridine-type anion-exchange resin embedded in silica beads

The separation of trivalent actinides and lanthanides was studied by using newly developed tertiary pyridine-type anion-exchange resin embedded in silica beads. Chromatographic elution experiments were carried out by using a packed column of the new resin and methanol-hydrochloric acid solution as an effluent. We confirmed that the actinides were eluted well from the elution bands of lanthanides. Actinides and lanthanides were eluted according to the reverse order of their atomic number.     

Improved Separation of Closely Related Metal Ions by Centrifugal Partition Chromatography

Abstract

Centrifugal Partition Chromatography (CPC) has been used for the analytical scale separations of adjacent trivalent lanthanides. The stationary phase was 0.1 M Cyanex 272 (bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphinic acid) in heptane and the mobile phase was water at the appropriate pH. Baseline separations of the adjacent lanthanides were achieved with an observed column efficiency of 320 /pm 40 theoretical plates. The column efficiency decreased with flow rate, i.e., the normal Van Deemter behavior was observed. The distribution ratios (D) of selected trivalent lanthanides at different pH values were in general in good agreement with the values determined by batch solvent extraction method. The D obtained with CPC differed markedly from the solvent extraction values inn certain cases resulting in a dependence of separation factor (α) of adjacent lanthanides on pH. This anomaly is under further investigation. The number of theoretical plates, selectivity and resolution of adjacent lanthanides obtained with the current system is ssignificantly better than previously reported. We have demonstrated for the first time, that a mixture of light and heavy lanthanides can been efficiently separated in a single run by CPC, by using gradient pH elution.     

Isolation of lanthanides from spent nuclear fuel by means of high performance ion chromatography (HPIC) prior to mass spectrometric analysis

Pure and complete fractions of neodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium and dysprosium were isolated by means of high performance ion chromatography, using a cation exchange column and gradient elution with alpha-hydroxyisobutyric acid solutions (α-HIBA). Intermediate precision and robustness of the isolation method was investigated, identifying eluent pH as the most important parameter. Investigation of the elution behaviour of the most important fission and activation products and actinides indicated that preventing the accumulation of cesium on the cation exchange column required further isocratic elution with a higher concentrated α-HIBA solution after elution of the lanthanides. A sample matrix free of carbon was achieved by means of acid digestion, followed by UV photo-oxidation, resulting in samples suitable for mass spectrometric analysis.

     

Séparation chromatographique des lanthanides en deux groupes basée sur des différences dans la cinétique de décomposition des complexes lanthanides-macrocyclesChromatographic separation of lanthanides into two groups based on kinetic differences in the decomposition of macrocycle/lanthanide complexes

The separation of the lanthanides in two groups, based on differences in decomplexation rates of the LnDOTA entities (DOTA = 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N′,N″,N?-tetraacetic acid), is achieved on a sulphonate cation-exchange column (H⁺ form). The yttrium earths, from terbium to lutetium, are eluted first as Ln-DOTA-H species with 1.25 M HCl; the light lanthanides, from lanthanum to samarium inclusive, are eluted as uncomplexed ions at the end of the chromatogram, with more concentrated hydrochloric acid. Given an equimolar mixture of the Eu-DOTA and Gd-DOTA complexes as starting solution, 40% of the gadolinium can be recovered free from europium at the start of elution and 47% of the europium free from gadolinium at the end of the elution.     

Quantitative separation of lanthanides and scandium from barium,strontium and other elements by cation-exchange chromatography in nitric acid

The lanthanides plus yttrium and scandium are separated from Ba, Sr, Ca, Mg, Pb(II), Bi(III), Zn, Mn(II) and U(VI) by eluting these elements with 2.0 M nitric acid from a column of AG50W-X8 cation exchange resin (200-400 mesh). The lanthanides are retained and can then be eluted with 4 M nitric or hydrochloric acid. Separations are quantitative and applicable to microgram and millimolar amounts of the lanthanides and the other elements. Elements such as Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cd. Hg(II), T1(I). Ag, Be, Ti(IV) and the alkali metals should accompany barium quantitatively according to their known distribution coefficients. Relevant elution curves and results of analysis of synthetic mixtures are presented.     

Selective separation of indium from zinc, lead, gallium and many other elements by cation-exchange chromatography in hydrohalic acid-acetone medium

Indium can be separated from Zn, Pb(II), Ga, Ca, Be, Mg, Ti(IV), Mn(II), Fe(III), Al, U(VI), Na, Ni(II) and Co(II) by selective elution with 0.50M hydrochloric acid in 30% aqueous acetone from a column of AG50W-X8 cation-exchange resin, all the other elements being retained by the column. Lithium is included in the elements retained by the column when 0.35M hydrochloric acid in 45% aqueous acetone is used for eluting indium, but the elution of indium is slightly retarded. Ba, Sr, Zr, Hf, Th, Sc, Y, La and the lanthanides, Rb and Cs should also be retained according to their distribution coefficients. Cd, Bi(III), Au(III), Pt(IV), Pd(II), Rh(III), Mo(VI) and W(VI) can be eluted with 0.20M hydrobromic acid in 50% aqueous acetone before the elution of indium, and Ir(III), Ir(IV), As(III), As(V), Se(IV), Tl(III), Hg(II), Ge(IV), Sb(III) and Sb(V), though not investigated in detail, should accompany these elements. Relevant distribution coefficients and elution curves and results for analyses of synthetic mixtures of indium with other elements are presented.     

Elution profiles of lanthanides with α‐hydroxyisobutyric acid by ion exchange chromatography using fine resin

Experiments were carried out using a strong acid cation exchange resin with a particle size of 75–150 μm, termed as “fine resin” in hydrogen ion form for the elution of individual lanthanides Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, and Dy that are produced as fission products in the spent nuclear fuel and generated in the effluent during reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel. Batch experiments were carried out to study the effect of concentration of nitric acid on distribution coefficient. The distribution coefficient values for these individual lanthanides were determined in nitric acid medium in the concentration range of 0.01–4.0 N. Uptake of each individual lanthanide by resin was increased with increased nitric acid concentration from 0.01 to 0.5 N and remained similar from 0.5 to 1.0 N and decreased thereafter up to 4.0 N. Column experiments were also carried out using the same resin to study the parameters like pH of the eluent, flow rate, and resin bed height under isocratic elution conditions for eluting lanthanide elements using α‐hydroxyisobutyric acid as eluent. The results of this study have indicated the possibility for the elution of individual lanthanides.     

Application of chelation ion chromatography to the determination of lanthanides in agriculture

Lanthanides are widely present in soil and plant. In this paper, it is the first time that chelation ion chromatography is applied to analyse lanthanides in a series of samples in agriculture. This technique can eliminate bulk quantity of alkali, alkaline earth metals on chelating concentrator column (MetPac CC-1) and eliminate transition metals on cation exchange column (TMC-1) from complex matrices with ammonium acetate buffer while lanthanides are concentrated. It is shown to be capable of separating and determining all lanthanides on mixed-bed ion exchange column (CS5) in a wide variety of sample types with high accuracy. Elution is carried out with a concentration gradient of oxalic acid (Ox) and diglycolic acid (DGA), coupled with post-column spectrophotometric detection with 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol (PAR) at 520 nm. It can determined ng ml(-1) scales of lanthanides. The whole run time after sample injection is about 55 min.     

Ion interaction chromatography of nitrilotriacetatocomplexes of the rare earth elements with post-column reaction detection

The chromatographic behaviour of nitrilotriacetatocomplexes of the rare earth elements (Sc, Y and lanthanides) on a reversed phase ODS column has been investigated in the presence of 1-octane-sulphonate. There is a great difference in selectivity for the ODS among the rare earth nitrilotriacetato-complexes. Concentration gradient elution with nitrilotriacetic acid (0.005-0.050M, pH 3.0) that contains 0.01M 1-octanesulphonate allows the rare earth elements to be separated from each other within 30 min at room temperature, except a Gd-Eu pair which is eluted together. Yttrium elutes at about 10 min between samarium and neodymium. Detection and quantitation of the rare earth elements can be achieved by post-column reaction with Chlorophosphonazo III in acid media at 700 nm.     

High-pressure liquid chromatography of trace elements: Determination of terbium in terbium doped gadolinium oxide sulphide phosphors

Summary A detailed study of isocratic and gradient elution separations of lanthanides has been carried out. Analyses of industrially and scientifically interesting products such as luminescent phosphors have been carried out by gradient elution with DL-2-hydroxyisobutyric acid. The determination of small amounts of terbium in gadolinium oxide sulphide phosphors is described in which an HCl solution was eluted through a stainless steel column packed with microparticulate silica, with bonded cation-exchange groups. Complete separation of gadolinium and terbium is achieved. Detection is with a variable wavelength detector following post-column complex formation with 4-(2-pyridylazo)-resorcinol monosodium salt. Results obtained on test solutions show good reproducibility and sensitivity and the method may be considered sufficiently reliable to be used in routine quality control procedures.Work financially supported by C.N.R. of Italy.     

Surfactant-sensitized post-column reaction with xylenol orange for the determination of lanthanides by ion chromatography

The presence of the cationic surfactants cetylpyridinium chloride and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide in an alkaline 40% methanol medium was found to enhance sensitivity when xylenol orange is employed as the post-column reaction reagent for the determination of lanthanides by dynamic ion chromatography. Detection of individual lanthanides was carried out at 618 nm after separation by cation-exchange chromatography with gradient elution on a C₁₈ column. The eluent was -hydroxyisobutyric acid-sodium octanesulfonate, pH 3.8. Sensitivity enhancements by factors of three to six, compared with xylenol orange alone, were achieved at a cationic surfactant concentration of 2.4 mM. The calibration response was linear in the 0.05 to 5 μg ml⁻¹ analyte concentration range. Limits of detection below 3 ng were obtained for all the natural lanthanides and lanthanum. No sensitivity enhancement effects were observed with anionic (sodium dodecyl sulfate) and non-ionic (Triton X-100) surfactants under the conditions tested.     

Separation of rare earth elements by anion-exchange chromatography using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid as mobile phase

Rare earth elements (REEs) form anionic complexes which can be separated isocratically by anion-exchange chromatography using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as the mobile phase. For easy detection and identification, inductively coupled plasma (ICP) MS was used as detection method. From pH 3.5 to 7.5, retention increases from La to Sm and then decreases again up to Lu. Above pH 8.5, the retention of the light lanthanides increased drastically. It seems that the stoichiometry and the charge of the REE-EDTA complexes change with the elution pH. This strange elution behaviour can be easily tuned for particular applications by selecting the elution pH. For example, at pH values between 5.5 and 7.5 most isobaric and polyatomic interferences which occur in ICP-MS detection of the lanthanides are eliminated. A mechanism for the stepwise formation of the REE-EDTA complexes as a function of pH is proposed.     

Separation of yttrium and neodymium from samarium and the heavier lanthanides by cation-exchange chromatography with hydroxyethylenediaminetriacetate in monochloroacetate buffer

Trace and mg amounts of yttrium and neodymium are separated from samarium and the heavier lanthanides by elution of the latter with hydroxyethylenediaminetriacetate (HEDTA) in a chloroacetate buffer of pH 2.85 from a column containing 68 ml (20 g) of AG 50W-X4 resin of 200–400 mesh particle size. Yttrium and neodymium (and also praeseodymium, cerium and lanthanum) are retained and can be eluted with 0.01M HEDTA in 0.20M ammonium acetate (pH 6). The separations are reasonably sharp and quantitative: only 3–15 μg of samarium was found in the yttrium fraction and 0.8–3.4 μg of yttrium in the samarium fraction when 4.41 mg of yttrium and 7.12 mg of samarium were present originally. Control of the pH during the column operations is essential because the peak positions are very sensitive to change in pH. The relevant distribution coefficients, elution curves of pairs of elements and results for the analysis of synthetic mixtures are presented. Also included is a method for separating yttrium and the lanthanides from HEDTA and sodium and ammonium ions.     

Determination of uranium in technological waters by ion-pair liquid chromatography

U(VI) can be efficiently determined in the range 0.3-1OmM after its separation from Th(IV), Zr(IV), Al(III), Fe(III), lanthanides and other ions by ion-pair liquid chromatography on a 3 x 150 mm glass column packed with Separon SGX C18 modified with sorbed ammonium dodecyl sulphate. Traces of uranium can be preconcentrated directly on the analytical column from acidified water solutions and separated from Th, Zr, Al, Fe, lanthanides and other elements, with an enrichment factor of $ 100 and recovery of 98 +/- 8%, by isocratic or pH or concentration gradient elution with ammonium 2-hydroxy-2-methylpropionate or ammonium citrate solution. Post-column derivatization with 25muM Arsenazo III in 0.1M formate buffer at pH 2.7 is used for detection and quantification.     

Simultaneous measurement of volatile sulfur compounds using ascorbic acid for oxidant removal and gas chromatography-flame photometric detection

The use of Eriochrome Black T in an alkaline, 40% methanol solution was found to be appropriate as post-column reagent for the determination of rare earths by ion chromatography. Detection of individual lanthanides and lanthanum was carried out at 512 nm and 650 nm after separation by dynamic cation exchange chromatography with gradient elution on C18 column and employing a solution containing alpha-hydroxyisobutiric acid/sodium octanesulfonate at pH 3.8 as eluent. The effect of the presence of micelles in the post-column reagent was studied. Sensitivities obtained by the addition of the cationic surfactants cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) were lower than those measured without surfactant addition. In some cases, the signal was totally suppressed. No change in sensitivity was observed with non-ionic (Triton X-100) or anionic (sodium dodecylsulphate, SDS) surfactants but a slight improvement in the baseline noise was observed with the SDS. An evaluation of the influence of chemical and operational variables on the post column reaction (PCR) reagent was carried out either by spectrophotometric tests or by chromatographic experiments. A comparison was performed between three PCR reagents: Eriochrome Black T and xylenol orange in the presence of a cationic surfactant and arsenazo III. Calibration response was linear up to an analyte concentration of 5.0 micrograms ml-1. Absolute detection limits lower than 7 and 17 ng were obtained at the detection wavelengths of 650 nm and 512 nm respectively, for all the natural lanthanides and lanthanum.     

Separation of copper(II) from uranium(VI) and many other elements by cation-exchange chromatography in acetone-hydrobromic acid media: Improved selective separation of copper

Co(II), Ni(II), Mn(II), Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ti(IV), V(IV), Zr, Hf, Th, Al, Sc, Y, La, the lanthanides and also U(VI), which accompany copper(II) in hydrochloric acid-acetone mixtures, can be separated from copper by eluting copper(II) with 0.50 M hydrobromic acid in 85% acetone from a column of AG 50W-X8 resin, 200–400 mesh, while all these elements are retained by the column quantitatively. Separations are sharp and quantitative, as is demonstrated by results for some synthetic mixtures. Some relevant elution curves are presented.     

Quantitative separation of beryllium from magnesium,calcium, aluminium,iron and other elements by cation-exchange chromatography in nitric acid-methanol

Beryllium is separated from Mg, Ca, Mn(II), Fe(III), Al, Co(II). Zn. U(VI), La and Gd by elution with 2.0 M nitric acid in 70 % methanol from a column of AG50W-X8 sulphonated polystyrene cation exchanger, while the other elements are retained quantitatively. Sr, Ba, Sc, Y, the other lanthanides, Zr, Hf, Th, Ga, In, Cd and Ni(II) should also be separated according to their distribution coefficients or elution behaviour. Separations are sharp and recoveries quantitative from millimolar amounts down to 10 μg of beryllium. The separation of Ti(IV) and Cu(II) from beryllium is not satisfactory and requires rather large columns. Bi(III), Pb(II), Hg(II) and the alkali metals are eluted together with beryllium, but can be separated by other methods. Typical elution curves and results for the quantitative separation of binary synthetic mixtures are presented.     

Pressure effect on cation exchange distribution of some fission products on a strongly acidic cation exchanger of sulfonic acid type in nitric acid

Distribution coefficients of fission products on a cation exchanger in 1M nitirc acid were measured as a function of the pressure by means of the column method. The distribution coefficients were found to decrease with the pressure, and this became more pronounced with increasing charge of the ions. The distribution coefficients of yttrium and RuNO³⁺ decreased with the pressure to a relatively greter extent than lighter lanthanides, and RuNO³⁺ appeared at a separate peak from europium in the elution chromatogram as the pressure was increased up to 900 kg/cm².     

Retention studies on uranium, thorium and lanthanides with amide modified reverse phase support and its applications

The retention behaviour of uranium and thorium was investigated on modified reverse phase supports using 3-oxo-pentanedioicacid bis-[bis-(2-ethyl-hexyl)-amide (OPAEHA), 3-oxo-pentanedioicacid bis diisobutyl amide (OPAIBA) and bis-2-ethylhexyl succinamic acid (BEHSA). alpha-Hydroxy isobutyric acid (alpha-HIBA) was employed as the complexing reagent for elution. Elution profiles of uranium and thorium were studied as a function of the modifier concentration, mobile phase composition and its pH. Based on these investigations, a novel high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) based separation technique was developed using BEHSA modified support for the isolation and quantitative determination of lanthanides as a group in uranium matrix. Hundreds of samples obtained from pyrochemical reprocessing of molten salts containing lanthanides in uranium matrix (e.g. 1:20,000) were separated and determined within 7 min using the coated support. The advantage of the present HPLC technique lies in the simultaneous separation and assay of total lanthanides and uranium whereas other analytical methods necessitate the separation of uranium matrix prior to lanthanide assay.