(1) Radiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400085, India;(2) Bio-Organic Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400085, India;
Abstract:
Ethyl-substituted bis-triazinylpyridine (Et-BTP), a nitrogen containing soft-donor extractant, was used in investigations pertaining to the separation of Am3+ and Eu3+ from dilute nitric acid feed solutions by extraction chromatography using XAD-4 as the inert support, chlorinated dicarbollide as the modifier and 2-nitrophenyloctylether (NPOE) as the diluent. After carrying out a series of experiments, the optimum composition of the extractant mixture for the resin was found out to be 0.1 M Et-BTP and 0.025 M CCD in NPOE. Separation factor values were encouraging to carry out subsequent batch uptake studies at varying nitrate ion concentration which indicated favourable separation behaviour up to NaNO3 concentration of 2 M. Column studies have been carried out and conditions for elution and separation of Am3+ from Eu3+ have been found out. Long term stability of the resin was also investigated.