Development of a separation method for rare earth elements using LN resin

Separation of Lanthanide Isotopes from Mixed Fission Product Samples

“…To maximize separation and account for small shifts in the elution profile, each 2 mL fraction was collected separately and screened by gamma spectroscopy for 20 min to determine the elution profile. The yields for Ce, Sm, and Eu can each be maximized to > 90% if the applicable fractions are combined either during elution or following the screening by gamma spectroscopy [12]. ICP-MS 1 First separation with LN resin using the elution gradient shown in Table 1.…”

“…The eluate collected for 161 Tb radiometric analysis is slightly larger than the Tb elution peak as determined by cold carrier studies to allow for small shifts in the elution profile to maximize the Tb yield without co-eluting Eu or Y. Based on cold carrier studies, the Tb yield from the LN separation is >95% [12]. However, there can be Tb loss during the TRU separation reducing the overall yield; cold carrier studies have shown this loss to be variable but were typically between 2% and 15%.…”

“…Acidic organophosphorus-based extractants provide optimal separation among the REEs, and this is the basis of LN resin from Eichrom Technologies ® , Inc. (Lisle, IL, USA) [10,11]; LN resin is comprised of polymeric beads coated with di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phosphoric acid (HDEHP). LN resin has been used for intragroup REEs separations with both HCl and HNO 3 elution profiles [12][13][14][15]. REEs sorb to LN resin in low molarity acid, and as the acid concentration is increased, the REEs are sequentially eluted lightest (La) to heaviest (Lu).…”

“…An optimized separation scheme was developed by Arrigo et al using LN resin employing increasing HNO 3 concentration for REEs separation [12]. With the focus on a fission product analysis, the method developed by Arrigo et al focused on maximizing the radiometric purity and chemical yield for Sm, Eu, Tb, and Y; parameters investigated during the optimization included LN resin mass, resin mesh size, lanthanide carrier mass loading, and nitric acid elution gradient [12].…”

Chromatographic Separation of Rare Earth Elements as Mgda Complexes on Anion Exchange Resins

“…The development of solvent extraction separation of REEs in academic literature also deals with ionic liquids [12]. A new kind of separation material has been developed to achieve highly selective REE sorption and separation [13][14][15][16] In the Manhattan project, the IX methods, for example with cation or anion ion exchange, were developed to remove REEs and other valuable elements from the radioactive material [17]. Before IX-based methods, separation was based on the crystallization of pure REE components, which is very time consuming.…”