Separation and detection of trace lanthanide and actinide ions by capillary electrophoresis- laser-induced fluorescence detection

Haraga, Tomoko   ; Saito, Shingo*

For safe disposal of radioactive wastes, it is necessary to evaluate radioactive concentrations in radioactive samples. Quantification of lanthanide (Ln) and actinide (An) ions in high-dose radioactive samples is of importance. Especially, rapid, simple, safe and semi-automated analysis is necessary. We developed highly sensitive capillary electrophoresis-laser-induced fluorescence detection (CE-LIF) methods for Ln and An ions with small sample volume and low emission of waste, by which the radiation risk can be minimized. Specifically, determination of Nd ion in spent nuclear fuel sample, effective separation between Am and Cm ion, and specific detection of UO in real radioactive samples were achieved by molecular design of fluorescence probes composed of an aminocarboxylate chelating moiety, a fluorophore and a spacer, and unique separation mode based on dynamic ternary complexation.