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Removal of Arsenic Using a Cationic Polymer Gel Impregnated with Iron Hydroxide
Published on: June 28, 2019
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Sulfur-functionalized solid-phase materials for the selective separation of arsenic and selenium.
Connor K Holiski1, Kelly N Kmak1, John D Despotopulos1
1Nuclear and Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, United States.
Journal of Chromatography. A
|August 30, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed new sulfur-based materials for efficiently separating radioactive arsenic isotopes. These methods avoid complex chemistry, offering high yields for medical applications and nuclear research.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Chemistry and Radiochemistry
- Materials Science for Isotope Separation
Background:
- Radioactive arsenic (As) isotopes are crucial for nuclear medicine, national security, and environmental research.
- Current methods for separating As isotopes from selenium (Se) often require strict oxidation state control or highly acidic conditions.
- Developing efficient and less complex separation techniques is essential for advancing applications of these isotopes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the performance of novel sulfur-based solid-phase materials for the separation of radioactive arsenic isotopes.
- To assess the feasibility of these materials for use in medical isotope generators.
- To provide an alternative separation method that operates at lower acidity and avoids complex redox chemistry.
Main Methods:
- Three covalently bound sulfur-based ligands were synthesized and tested: thiophenol-polystyrene, propanethiol-silica, and thiourea-silica.
- Uptake characteristics, including distribution coefficients (Dw) and kinetics, were measured using 75Se and 73As in hydrochloric (HCl) and nitric (HNO3) acid solutions.
- Column separation behavior, ligand stability, and elution studies were conducted to evaluate practical applicability.
Main Results:
- The sulfur-based resins demonstrated high-yield (>95%) and high-purity recovery of arsenic isotopes across various HCl concentrations.
- Comparable separation efficiencies were achieved in HNO3 when the resins were used in conjunction with anion exchange chromatography.
- Ligand stability studies indicated negligible sulfur leaching at relevant separation acid concentrations, supporting potential use in isotope generators.
Conclusions:
- Sulfur-based solid-phase materials offer a promising, low-acidity alternative for the efficient separation of radioactive arsenic isotopes.
- These materials exhibit excellent performance for arsenic recovery, suitable for applications in medical isotope production.
- The developed separation strategy simplifies existing methods by eliminating the need for complex oxidation state control.
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