Separation of uranium from molybdenum using a diamine functional group bonded to controlled-pore glass

A method for selective extraction of uranium from carbonate solutions containing molybdate is reported. A liquid chromatography column, packed with N-β-aminoethyl-γ-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane immobilized on a glass substrate, was utilized in a continuous flow system. The selective retention of the uranyl carbonate species [UO2(CO3)2.2H2O]2- and UO2(CO3)34- on protonated immobilized diamine is the basis for this separation. Recoveries of uranium and molybdenum from synthetic samples ranged from 96.7 to 113.4% for uranium and from 96.7 to 110.5% for molybdate for a range of recommended conditions. (Auth.)