Separation of 125Sb from neutron irradiated tin using silica gel

A simple method was developed for the separation of carrier-free 125Sb from neutron irradiated natural Sn using a silica gel column. One gram of Sn was irradiated for 200 h at a neutron flux density of >1014 cm-2 s-1, dissolved in 12 M HCl, then diluted to 1 M HCl concentration and passed through a silica-gel column. All 125Sb was adsorbed on the column, while the eluate contained tin. 125Sb was then desorbed with 6 M HCl. More than 85% 125Sb was recovered with less than 20μg Sn as an impurity. (orig.)