Capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection for ultratrace uranyl ion using a highly emissive phenanthroline-dicarboxylate derivative probe

Haraga, Tomoko   ; Sato, Yoshiyuki; Ouchi, Kazuki*; Shibukawa, Masami*; Ishimori, Kenichiro ; Kameo, Yutaka ; Saito, Shingo*

Uranium is an important nuclide for the analysis of radioactive wastes from nuclear fuel cycle facilities. In order to achieve simple and rapid analysis of uranium, capillary electrophoresis-laser-induced fluorescent detection method (CE-LIF) is one of the potential candidates. In this study, a highly emissive probe of uranyl ion suitable for CE-LIF was developed. The detection and separation of uranyl ion were examined using several new emissive complexing probes, each of which possessed a fluorophore and a different chelating moiety. Using a tetradentate probe, phenanthroline dicarboxylic acid chelating moiety, the highly sensitive fluorescent detection of uranium was successfully achieved. The detection limit of mid-ppt levels was determined, and coexisting matrix metal ions, such as Ca, Co, Cs, Sr, lanthanide ions and others, do not disturb the detection of uranium. This method has a great potential to be applied to analysis of radioactive waste samples.