Sequential anion-exchange separation of ultra-trace actinides and lanthanides with an automatic system

Miyamoto, Yutaka   ; Yasuda, Kenichiro   

Automatic and sequential separation of actinides including Am, Th, U, Pu, and lanthanides from other elements was achieved by using a small anion-exchange column. Americium was completely separated from lanthanides by eluting the Am with a mixture of highly pure acids including acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, and nitric acid without any special chelate reagents. This simple technique has excellent ability to separate actinides from the matrix elements including lanthanides. The application to environmental samples and optimized separation conditions will be shown.