Recovery and purification of Sr(II) in perchloric acid medium

Abstract

Perchloric acid was found to be a suitable medium for the quantitative leaching of Sr(II) from homogeneous and calcined (Th,Sr)O2 particularly with respect to the contamination from Th(IV). 90Sr is a cause of major concern to the environment due to its long half life (28.6 years), significant abundance in large inventory of spent nuclear fuels (~350 thousand tons) awaiting geological disposal and its chemical similarity to Ca(II), an essential element for the living beings. Application of 90Sr as a parent radionuclide for 90Y (used in therapy radiopharmaceuticals) is possible provided it can be made available at desired high purity. In this context, the distribution coefficients of Sr(II), Th(IV), Zr(IV), Y(III), 152Eu(III) and 137Cs(I) were determined using Sr selective crown ether 4,4′(5′)-di-tert-butyl-dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 by solid–liquid extraction in perchloric acid medium. Feasibility of employing extraction chromatography using Sr selective resin for the recovery and purification of Sr(II) from leached perchloric acid medium was explored. Perchloric acid medium is better than nitric acid medium for the uptake of Sr by Sr selective chromatographic resin under varying loading conditions of Sr(II). Similarly pH 2 solution appears better eluent of Sr(II) than distilled water. Present work offers a novel approach for setting up a 90Sr–90Y generator.