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A scheme for sequential separation of thorium, lanthanides, uranium in geo-materials and their ICP-OES determination

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Abstract

Neutral complexes of thorium and lanthanides with 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene and anionic complexes of uranium with the same chelating agent in presence of cetyltri-methylammonium ion are extracted into ethylacetate at the pH 5–6, 9–10 and 10–12 respectively. All these elements are then quantitatively stripped off into dilute acid solutions and then determined by ICP-OES. Certified Reference Materials like SY-2, SY-3, GSP-2 and a statistical paired ‘t’ test are conducted for validation of the method. The results obtained for a set of rock and grab samples are compared with other standard techniques yielding high degree of accuracy and precision.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to Dr. P. K. Tarafder, Ex-incharge, Chemistry Laboratory, AMD, Jamshedpur for his constant encouragement, support and motivation to do the work. Sincere thanks and gratitude to Directors, NIT, Jamshedpur and AMD, Hyderabad for their kind permission to do research work leading to a Ph.D. (SKP). The authors are also thankful to Additional Directors (OP-I and R&D), AMD, Hyderabad, Regional Director and Dy. Regional Director, AMD, Eastern Region, Jamshedpur and Head, Chemistry Group, AMD, Hyderabad for providing necessary facilities to carry out the work. Thanks are due to Dr. Vijay Kumar, Ex-incharge, Chemistry Laboratory, AMD, Jamshedpur for his guidance to ICP-OES measurements from time to time. Special thanks to Dr. S. Shaktivel, Assistant Professor, NIT, Jamshedpur for his guidance to draw the different reaction schemes.

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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Author notes

  1. Susanta Kumar Pradhan

    Present address: Chemical Laboratory, Department of Atomic Energy, Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, Southern Region, Nagarbhavi, Bengaluru, 560072, India

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemical Laboratory, Department of Atomic Energy, Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, Eastern Region, AMD Complex, Khashmahal, Jamshedpur, 831002, India

    Susanta Kumar Pradhan

  2. Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology, Jamshedpur, 831014, India

    Susanta Kumar Pradhan & Balram Ambade

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  1. Susanta Kumar Pradhan
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Pradhan, S.K., Ambade, B. A scheme for sequential separation of thorium, lanthanides, uranium in geo-materials and their ICP-OES determination. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 329, 115–125 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-021-07785-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-021-07785-x

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