Adsorption behavior of zirconium and hafnium ions in strong acid solution using Desferrioxamine B Immobilized micropolymer

Aoki, Jo; Abe, Miki*; Butsugan, Michio*; Onuma, Chisa*; Fujiwara, Kenso ; Takagai, Yoshitaka*

Safety management of high dose radioactive wastes such as debris is an important issue in dealing with decommissioning Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Zeolites currently used as adsorbents for radioactive wastes show high selectivity only to alkali metal ions. Therefore, in this study, using DFB-EG80 (S), which desferrioxamine B was immobilized on a micropolymer and forms a stable complex with high-valent metal ions, examined adsorption of zirconium (Zr) ions and hafnium (Hf) ions, in a strong acid solution. As an experimental method, 3 mg of DFB-EG80(S) and 10 mL of 52 kinds of metal elements of 10 ppb were added to disposable centrifuge tubes, and shake at 50 degrees, 160 rpm for 20 minutes in a shaking constant temperature bath. As a result, it was possible to adsorb up to 96.7 % and 97.9 % of Zr and Hf ions. In addition, it became possible to separate 52 elements into 4 elements of Zr, Hf, Nb and Ta. In addition, it became possible to separate 52 elements into 4 elements of Zr, Hf, Nb and Ta under shaking conditions of 70 degrees.