Liquid-liquid extraction and reversed phase chromatographic separation of parent-daughter, 95Zr-95Nb, with TOA

Effective separation of the parent and daughter, in the equilibrium mixture, 95Zr-95Nb, was achieved through liquid-liquid extraction, reversed phase column and paper chromatographic procedure using trioctylamine (TOA) as the liquid anion exchanger. In liquid-liquid extraction system, TOA in cyclohexane was used as the extractant for separation of the 95Zr and 95Nb in their pair in aqueous solution containing H2SO4, oxalic acid and H2O2 at different concentrations. In reversed phase chromatographic techniques, the hydrophobized kieselgur impregnated with TOA and Whatman No. 1 chromatographic paper coated with the reagent were used respectively as stationary phase in RPCC and RPPC respectively. In both cases of chromatographic separation, mixtures of H2SO4, oxalic acid and H2O2, with specific concentration, were used as mobile phases. At the optimum conditions, the mutual separation and the decontamination of the parent, 95Zr, from the daughter, 95Nb, as verified through γ-ray spectrometric studies, were found to be quantitative. (orig.)