THE RADIOCHEMISTRY OF PLUTONIUM - Sciencemadness.org

Procedure 18. Separation of Np and Pu by Cation Exchange Chromatography V. D.
Zagrai and L. I, Sel!chenkov (Ref. 435).
Outline of Method
Np(IV) and Pu(III) are adsorbed on the cation resin KU1 or KU2 from 0.25
~ HC1 solution after reduction with S02 at boiling water temperatures. Np is eluted
with 0.02 ~ HF and the Pu stripped with 0.5 ~ HF.
Procedure
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
To 6-8 ml of 0.25 ~ HC1 containing pg amounts of Np and Pu, add
about half of the resin in the hydrogen form required to fill the pleti-
glasfi column ( 1 mm diameter X 90 mm high) and 1-2 ml of water.
Pass S02 gas through the solution vigorously for 15-20 min while
heating on a boiling water bath.
Allow the solution to cool to room temperature and transfer the resin
to the column with a pipette. Plug the top of the column with cotton
and pass the remaining solution through the column,
Wash the resin with 10 ml of 0.25 ~ HC1, followed by 10 ml of H20.
Elute the Np into a Pt dish or a Teflon beaker with 40-60 ml of 0.02 ~
HF.
Elute the Pu with 4-5 ml of 0.5 N HF.
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