Development of separation technique for platinum group metals from radioactive liquid waste utilizing laser-induced particulate formation

Saeki, Morihisa*; Asai, Shiho; Oba, Hironori*  

Platinum group metal (PGM) has attracted much attention in light of increasing demands in the industrial sector. A wide variety of techniques specialized for PGM separation, such as, solvent extraction, solid phase extraction, and molten salt electrolysis have been developed so far. Among such techniques, a newly developed separation technique based on laser-induced particulate formation can be a promising alternative to conventional ones. It enables non-contact and highly-selective separation with a simple operation. In this review, the research history and the basic mechanism of laser-induced particulate formation were outlined. Several applications were also mentioned, focusing on our latest research progress which achieved a world first quantitation of radioactive palladium in a spent nuclear fuel sample.