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Chromatographic separation of americium from europium using bis-2,6-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,9,9-trimethyl-5,8-methano-1,2,4-benzotriazin-3-yl) pyridine

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry volume 314, pages 371–376 (2017)Cite this article

Abstract

The separation of americium(III) from europium(III) was achieved utilizing a bis-2,6-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,9,9-trimethyl-5,8-methano-1,2,4-benzotriazin-3-yl) pyridine (CA-BTP) chromatographic resin. The extraction chromatographic materials were prepared using various concentrations of CA-BTP. This new, hydrolytically stable extractant was impregnated on an inert polymeric support at 40% loading. The uptake of Am(III) and Eu(III) by this material from 0.1 to 4.0 M aqueous HNO3 solutions was measured. The resulting dry weight distribution ratios, D w , indicated a strong preference for Am(III) with little affinity for Eu(III). These results are similar to recently reported solvent extraction studies indicating a maximum uptake of Am(III) in the 0.5–1.0 M HNO3 range. The resin preparation, performance, and characterization of the Am/Eu separation are reported herein.

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Acknowledgements

This research was sponsored by the Office of Nuclear Energy, U.S. Department of Energy. One author (K.T.) would like to thank the Tennessee Technological University Student Research Grant Program for support. Thank you to Melissa Friedrich for her helpful edits.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Tennessee Technological University, 1 William L Jones Dr, Cookeville, TN, 38505, USA

    Kayron N. Tevepaugh, Janet Coonce, Serene Tai, Jesse D. Carrick & Dale D. Ensor

  2. Chemical Separations Group, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Rd, Oak Ridge, TN, 37830, USA

    Kayron N. Tevepaugh & Lætitia H. Delmau

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  1. Kayron N. Tevepaugh
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  2. Janet Coonce
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  3. Serene Tai
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  5. Jesse D. Carrick
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  6. Dale D. Ensor
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Correspondence to Kayron N. Tevepaugh.

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Tevepaugh, K.N., Coonce, J., Tai, S. et al. Chromatographic separation of americium from europium using bis-2,6-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,9,9-trimethyl-5,8-methano-1,2,4-benzotriazin-3-yl) pyridine. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 314, 371–376 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-017-5365-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-017-5365-0

Keywords

  • Extraction chromatography
  • Lanthanide-actinide separations
  • Minor actinides
  • CA-BTP
  • Bis-1,2,4-triazinyl pyridines