One column operation for (90)Sr/(90)Y separation by using a functionalized-silica

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Radiochemistry
• Nuclear Engineering

Background:

• Current methods for Yttrium-90 (90Y) extraction from Strontium-90 (90Sr) generators often involve solvent extraction or column operations.
• Existing techniques can lead to waste generation and leaching of radiolytic products, impacting the purity and safety of 90Y.
• The development of novel separation media is crucial for improving the efficiency and environmental impact of 90Y production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and evaluate novel organo-ceramic hybrid materials for the separation of 90Y from 90Sr.
• To investigate the performance of these hybrid materials as extraction media in a 90Sr/90Y generator system.
• To assess the efficiency and purity of 90Y recovered using these advanced materials.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of organo-phosphorus functionalized organo-ceramic hybrid materials.
• Implantation of extracting molecules onto ceramic surfaces to create hybrid materials with combined properties.
• Testing the synthesized materials as separation media in a small Sep-Pak type column for adsorptive extraction of 90Y.

Main Results:

• The organo-ceramic hybrid materials demonstrated high performance in extracting 90Y.
• Recovery rates exceeding 92% for 90Y were achieved with a 90Sr/90Y contamination ratio of 1.2x10(-5).
• Further optimization yielded 70% recovery with an even lower contamination ratio of 5x10(-7).

Conclusions:

• Organo-ceramic hybrid materials represent a promising advancement in separation media for 90Sr/90Y generators.
• These materials offer a more efficient and cleaner alternative to traditional extraction methods.
• The developed technology has the potential to significantly improve the quality and safety of 90Y production.