Application of capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection for the determination of trace neodymium in spent nuclear fuel using complexation with an emissive macrocyclic polyaminocarboxylate probe

Haraga, Tomoko   ; Saito, Shingo*; Sato, Yoshiyuki; Asai, Shiho; Hanzawa, Yukiko  ; Hoshino, Hitoshi*; Shibukawa, Masami*; Ishimori, Kenichiro ; Takahashi, Kuniaki 

A simple and rapid method with low radiation exposure risk was developed for the determination of neodymium in spent nuclear fuel by CE with LIF detection using a fluorescent ligand having a macrocyclic hexadentate polyaminocarboxylate structure. The concentration of Nd(III) in a spent nuclear fuel sample was determined with no interference from various matrix elements, including lanthanides and uranium (at a 200-fold excess), with 92 3% recovery. This is due to method's high resolution based on establishing a ternary complex equilibrium during migration in which the hydroxyl ion plays an auxiliary role.