Separation of rare earth element radioisotopes by reverse-phase high-speed counter-current chromatography

Dembowski, Mateusz; Rasmussen, Hope E.; Rowley, John E.; Droessler, Janelle E.; Goff, George S.; May, Iain

doi:10.1016/j.chroma.2023.464478

Title: Separation of rare earth element radioisotopes by reverse-phase high-speed counter-current chromatography

Journal Article · 30 October 2023 · Journal of Chromatography

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2023.464478 · OSTI ID:2205064

^[1];

^[1]; May, Iain ^[1]

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Analytical scale purification of rare earth element (REE) radioisotopes is typically accomplished using cation-exchange resins (e.g. AG 50W-X8) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Despite the variety of improvements made since the development of this separation process in the 1950s, nearest neighbor separations remain a challenge, as does the issue of irreversible sample adsorption. Herein, we report a study that evaluates the potential of high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) as an alternative method for purifying REE elements, with specific reference to separations of fission product REE of interest to nuclear forensics. Complementary HSCCC REE separation experiments, one spiked with radiotracer and REE fission product activity, allowed for in depth analysis of resulting fractions from both an elemental (inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, ICP-AES) and radiological (gamma-ray spectrometry, beta counting) purity perspective. The highly reproducible nature of separation profiles generated from HSCCC instruments was leveraged to simplify work-up of samples containing radioisotopes. Subsequent radioanalytical evaluation revealed minimal carryover of Eu into neighboring Sm and Tb fractions (as indicated by presence of 150Eu), and trace contamination of the Tb fraction with Y (as indicated by presence of 91Y). Subtle differences in stationary phase retention across the two columns were reflected in significant variations in decontamination factors of duplicate parallel separations. Furthermore, these differences paired with obtained distribution of radioisotopes provided valuable insights into future improvements. Collectively, this study represents a significant step forward in development of HSCCC technology for task specific REE radioisotope purification.

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Research Organization:: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation

Grant/Contract Number:: 89233218CNA000001

OSTI ID:: 2205064

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 2204732

Report Number(s):: LA-UR-23-29100; TRN: US2406884

Journal Information:: Journal of Chromatography, Vol. 1712; ISSN 0021-9673

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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