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.     

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.     

Effect of Temperature and the Mechanism of Zone Spreading During Cation-Exchange Separation of Rare Earth Elements by Ion Chromatography

Separation of rare earth elements (REE) by ion chromatography on a Dionex Ion Pac CS3 column (sulfonic acid type) has been studied at different temperatures (10–70 °C) and with both isocratic and gradient elution with α-hydroxyisobutyric acid (α-HIBA). Changes of column efficiency as a function of distribution coefficient and temperature could not be explained on the basis of classical Van Deemter or Glueckauf-Hamilton equations and possible explanation indicating the contribution of longitudinal diffusion in the resin phase to total zone spreading was provided. It was shown that the plate height for yttrium was distinctly smaller that those for lanthanides of similar ionic radii. An improved combined isocratic-gradient elution procedure was devised for separation of Sc, Y, La, and the lanthanides in one run.     

Extraction studies of trivalent ions from TALSPEAK medium using phsophonic acid-TBP solvent mixture

Indigenously synthesized extractant, phenyl (octyl) phosphonic acid (POPA) in tri-n-butylphosphate (TBP) and dodecane, has been investigated for the separation of americium from trivalent lanthanides in nitric acid medium as well as diethylene triaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) and lactic acid mixture (TALSPEAK medium). Various experimental parameters like concentration of DTPA, lactic acid, TBP, nitrate ions and pH of the aqueous feed solution have been optimized to obtain the highest separation factor between americium and europium. Bulk actinide–lanthanide separation reagent, tetra (ethylhexyl) diglycolamide (TEHDGA), was equilibrated with simulated solution of americium and lanthanides, equivalent in concentration to the reprocessing waste originating from PHWR spent fuel. DTPA/lactic acid mixture was used to strip the metal ions from the loaded organic phase and re-extracted into POPA in TBP/dodecane to evaluate the separation factor of individual lanthanides with respect to americium. Very good separation factors between americium and trivalent lanthanides were obtained.     

High performance liquid chromatographic studies on lanthanides, uranium and thorium on amide modified reversed phase supports

The retention behavior of uranium, thorium and lanthanides has been investigated with amide modified reversed phase C₁₈ supports using α-hydroxy isobutyric acid (α-HIBA) as the mobile phase. Four structurally different amide moieties namely, 4-hydroxy-N,N-dihexyl butyramide (4HHBA), 4-hydroxy-N,N-di-2-ethylhexylhexanamide (4HEHHA), bis(N,N,N′,N′-2-ethylhexyl)malonamide (B2EHM) and N-methyl-tris(dihexylcarbamoyl-3-methoxy)pivolamide (MTDCMPA) have been synthesized and studied. Among the various amide coated columns, the supports modified with 4HHBA, B2EHM and MTDCMPA exhibit an interesting retention for uranium and thorium, which is different from 4HEHHA modified support. The retention time for uranium and thorium increases with increasing amide concentration for 4HHBA, B2EHM and MTDCMPA supports, while the same decreases with increasing 4HEHHA content. However, the separation factor for uranium and thorium is greater on a 4HEHHA support, compared to an unmodified C₁₈ column, reflecting the amide's preferential complexation of uranium over thorium.Columns modified with 4HHBA, B2EHM and MTDCMPA exhibit relatively higher retentions for lanthanides. However, MTDCMPA modified support shows a different elution profile for lanthanides compared to 4HHBA, and B2EHM modified columns. Individual separations of heavier lanthanides, i.e., from gadolinium to lutetium also have been achieved using 4HHBA and B2EHM modified supports.The influence of modifier content, mobile phase concentration and its pH on the retention of metal ions has also been studied. Based on these investigations, an efficient high performance liquid chromatographic method (HPLC) has been developed for the rapid separation of uranium from thorium as well as for the individual separation of heavier lanthanides.     

The EURO-GANEX Process: Current Status of Flowsheet Development and Process Safety Studies

A new hydrometallurgical grouped actinide extraction process has been developed to separate the transuranic actinide ions from dissolved spent fuel solution (after an initial uranium extraction cycle). This “EURO-GANEX” process is aimed towards the homogeneous recycling of plutonium and minor actinides in a future closed fuel cycle. The separation process is based on the co-extraction of actinides and lanthanides from aqueous nitric acid into an organic phase followed by selective co-stripping of actinides. A suitable organic phase has been formulated and distribution ratios determined for lanthanides, actinides and some problematic fission products under extraction and stripping conditions. The process flowsheet has been proven on surrogate feed solutions as well as with spent fast reactor fuel; excellent recoveries of the actinides and good decontamination factors from the lanthanides and other fission products were obtained. A variation on the EURO-GANEX flowsheet (the “TRU-SANEX” process) has now been designed to produce separate Pu+Np and Am+Cm products for heterogeneous recycling. Progress on underpinning process chemistry and safety studies as well as flowsheet tests are summarized.     

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.     

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.     

Determination of five trace elements in sea water after separation by anion-exchange chromatography

Summary A preconcentration technique involving anion-exchange in a thiocyanate medium has been developed for the determination of traces of vanadium, cobalt, copper, zinc, and cadmium in sea water. A conventional, small column containing a strongly basic anionexchange resin Amberlite CG 400 in the thiocyanate form allows the five trace metals to be concentrated from a 11 of sea water sample adjusted to 0.1M in thiocyanate and 0.1M in hydrochloric acid. Sorbed metals can be recovered simultaneously by elution with 140 ml of 2M perchloric acid. A stepwise elution technique is also developed, which permits removal of vanadium-copper-cobalt as a group, zinc, and cadmium to improve the selectivity of the separation. A simple scheme of separation for vanadium, copper, and cobalt is given, so that spectrophotometric determinations of these metals even with nonselective reagents may be feasible. Results are quoted on the preconcentration and subsequent spectrophotometric determination of the five metals in brine and sea waters.     

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.     

Anion exchange studies of indium(III) in malonate and ascorbate solutions separation from mixtures

Summary Systematic studies are presented on the anion-exchange behaviour of indium on Dowex 21K in malonic acid and ascorbic acid solutions. Hydrochloric, sulphuric, nitric and perchloric acids, also sodium and ammonium nitrate at different concentrations were tested as eluants in the two systems. Their efficiency was evaluated in terms of elution constants. Methods have been developed for the separation of indium from several elements in malonate as well as ascorbate media with the technique of selective sorption, selective elution or by gradient elution.     

Spectrophotometric determination of trace amounts of cobalt using 7-Nitroso-8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulphonic acid as reagent

A thinlayer chromatographic method for the quantitative determination of phthalic acid esters in aqueous PVC-plastic extracts has been developed. Petroleum ether/diethyl ether/glacial acetic acid (8∶2∶0.1) is used as solvent; the plates are coated with 0.2 mm of silica gel with fluorescent agent. After separation and elution a photometric determination is performed.     

Analytical application of poly[dibenzo-18-crown-6] for column chromatographic separation of Nd(III) from Ce(III), U(VI) and other elements

This research is dedicated to the study of analytical application of poly[dibenzo-18-crown-6] for separation of Nd(III) from possible lanthanides, actinides and other metal ions. A simple and efficient column chromatographic method has been developed using poly [dibenzo-18-crown-6] as stationary phase and hippuric acid as a counter ion. The capacity of crown polymer for Nd(III) was found to be 0.55 ± 0.01 mmol/g. Nd(III) was quantitatively separated from Ce(III), U(VI) and other elements in binary as well as multicomponent mixtures. Separation yields were good and reproducible (±2 %). This method has important application for separation of Nd(III) from Ce(III) rapidly and selectively.     

Reversed-phase ion-pair partition chromatography of carboxylates and sulphonates.

A reversed-phase partition chromatographic system for separation of organic anions as ion pairs with quaternary ammonium ions has been developed. Commercial, hydrophobized silica supports are used with 1-pentanol as stationary phase and aqueous solutions of tetrabutylammonium (TBA) as mobile phase. The separation of the aromatic sulphonates and benzoic acid derivatives is demonstrated. The use of the TBA concentration of the mobile phase to regulate the capacity factor of the anions, as a means of improving separation by gradient elution and direct injection of large sample volumes, is demonstrated. The isolation of nicotinic acid from human serum samples is shown.     

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.     

Extraction behavior and separation of lanthanides with a diglycol amic acid derivative and a nitrogen-donor ligand.

The extraction and separation of lanthanides have been investigated using CHON-type extractants, which are composed of only C, H, O, and N atoms. N,N-Dioctyldiglycol amic acid (DODGAA) showed high extraction and separation performances for heavier lanthanides compared with typical CHON-type extractants. On the other hand, N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine (TPEN) provided an unprecedentedly high selectivity for lighter lanthanides. Furthermore, it was found that the combination of DODGAA and TPEN under suitable conditions enabled the mutual separation of light, middle, and heavy lanthanides.     

Preparation of silica-based cation-exchangers for use in ion chromatography

Summary A low exchange-capacity, silica-based cation-exchanger for use in ion chromatography has been synthesized. (p-Trimethylsilyl)benzyl-dimethylchlorosilane (TBDCS) reacts with trimethylsilyl chlorosulfonate (TMCS) to produce a compound sulfonated in the para position of the type ArSO₂OSi (CH₃)₃, which is bonded to 5 μm porous silica beads and hydrolysed to the corresponding arylsulfonic acid. The product is hydrophilic and has a high degree of sulfonation, efficiencies of packed columns reaching about 40,000–50,000 plates per meter for the separation of the Mn²⁺ ion. The new stationary phase has been applied to the ion chromatography of some organic and inorganic ions. It is notable that 14 lanthanides can be separated by isocratic elution about one hour on a 150×4·6 mm column, with 4 mM ethylenediamine and 6 mM α-hydroxyl-isobutanoic acid (pH 3.67) as mobile phase. The work was supported by the National Science Foundation of China.     

Indirect determination of uranium by the on-line reduction and fluorimetric detection of cerium(III).

A novel flow injection method has been developed for the indirect determination of uranium by the on-line reduction and subsequent fluorimetric detection of cerium(III). A sample solution containing uranium(VI), prepared as a sulfuric acid solution, was injected into a sulfuric acid carrier solution and passed through a column packed with metal bismuth to reduce uranium(VI) to uranium(IV). The sample solution was merged with a cerium(IV) solution to oxidize uranium(IV) to uranium(VI) and the cerium(III) generated was then monitored fluorimetricaly. The present method is free from interference from zirconium, lanthanides, and thorium, and has been successfully applied to the determination of uranium in monazite coupled with an anion-exchange separation in a sulfuric acid medium to eliminate iron(III). The sample throughput was 25 per hour and the lowest detectable concentration was 0.0042 mg l(-1).     

Burn-up measurements on nuclear reactor fuels using high performance liquid chromatography

Burn-up measurements on thermal as well as fast reactor fuels were carried out using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A column chromatographic technique using di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (HDEHP) coated column was employed for the isolation of lanthanides from uranium, plutonium and other fission products. Ion-pair HPLC was used for the separation of individual lanthanides. The atom percent fissions were calculated from the concentrations of the lanthanide (neodymium in the case of thermal reactor and lanthanum for the fast reactor fuels) and from uranium and plutonium contents of the dissolver solutions. The HPLC method was also used for determining the fractional fissions from uranium and plutonium for the thermal reactor fuel.     

Extraction chromatographic separation of uranium and fission products in the system di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid-hydrochloric acid

An elution scheme has been developed for obtaining separate fission product and uranium fractions using extraction chromatographic techniques with di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid as a stationary phase and HCl of varying concentration as eluting agent. The investigations have been concentrated on the fission products cerium, europium, molybdenum and zirconium. The elution of zirconium by oxalic acid is characterized by a peak broadening and has been explained by considering extraction kinetics. Experiments on column performance with different support materials have proved Ftoroplast-4 and Celite Hyflo Super Cel to be capable of giving column fillings with equal separation ability.