Rapid separation of americium from complex matrices using solvent impregnated triazine extraction chromatography...

Several novel extraction chromatography resins (EXC) have been synthesised by solvent impregnation of the triazine ligands 6,6'-bis(5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobenzo[1,2,4]triazin-3-yl)-2,2'-bipyridine (CyMe₄BTBP) and 2,9-bis(5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-benzo[1,2,4]triazin-3-yl)-1,10-phenanthroline (CyMe₄BTPhen) into Amberlite XAD7 and Amberchrom CG300 polymer supports. The resins have been physically characterised by a suite of spectroscopic, analytical and imaging techniques. The resins have also been evaluated in terms of their ability to selectively extract americium from complex matrices intended to simulate those typical of spent nuclear fuel raffinate, environmental samples and nuclear forensics samples. The resins have been compared with previously reported attempts to generate EXC resins based on CyMe₄BTBP and CyMe₄BTPhen. Previously reported resins all rely on complex synthesis for the formation of a covalent bond between extractant and support by contrast with the simpler solvent impregnation method reported here. The Amberchrom supported CyMe₄BTBP resin achieved a weight distribution ration (D_Am) of 170 within 60 min and a decontamination factor (DF) of >1000 for americium over lanthanides by column chromatography. The Amberchrom CyMe₄BTPhen resin achieved a D_Am of 540 within 30 min and a DF for americium from lanthanides of 60-160.