Rapid selective separation of americium/curium from simulated nuclear forensic matrices using triazine ligands

Higginson, M. A., Thompson, P., Marsden, O. J., Livens, F. R., Harwood, L. M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8442-7380, Lewis, F. W., Hudson, M. J. and Heath, S. L. (2015) Rapid selective separation of americium/curium from simulated nuclear forensic matrices using triazine ligands. Radiochimica Acta, 103 (10). ISSN 0033-8230 doi: 10.1515/ract-2015-2403

Abstract/Summary

In analysis of complex nuclear forensic samples containing lanthanides, actinides and matrix elements, rapid selective extraction of Am/Cm for quantification is challenging, in particular due the difficult separation of Am/Cm from lanthanides. Here we present a separation process for Am/Cm(III) which is achieved using a combination of AG1-X8 chromatography followed by Am/Cm extraction with a triazine ligand. The ligands tested in our process were CyMe4-BTPhen, CyMe4- BTBP, CA-BTP and CA-BTPhen. Our process allows for purification and quantification of Am and Cm (recoveries 80%–100%) and other major actinides in < 2d without the use of multiple columns or thiocyanate. The process is unaffected by high level Ca(II)/Fe(III)/Al(III) (10mg mL−1) and thus requires little pre-treatment of samples.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/58196
Identification Number/DOI	10.1515/ract-2015-2403
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Interdisciplinary centres and themes > Chemical Analysis Facility (CAF) Life Sciences > School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy > Department of Chemistry
Publisher	Oldenbourg Gruppe
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