Extraction chromatographic separation of trivalent minor actinides using iHex-BTP/SiO₂-P resin

The separation of trivalent minor actinides (Am(III) and Cm(III)) from lanthanides is a challenging issue because of difficulties associated with their mutual similarity in chemical behavior. However, this separation is important for the future nuclear fuel cycle for environmental friendship. Extraction chromatographic separation of the long-lived trivalent minor actinides has been performed to study the potential application of 2,6-bis(5,6-di-iso-hexyl-1,2,4- triazin-3-yl)-pyridine (iHex-BTP) impregnated into a porous silica support coated with styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer (SiO₂-P). The adsorption and elution characteristics of Am(III) and Cm(III) in nitric acid medium have been investigated to separate them from lanthanides using a column packed with iHex-BTP/SiO₂-P resin. Depending on the concentration of nitric acid solution as well as aqueous flow rate, a certain condition allowed us to selectively recover the fractions containing Am(III) and Cm(III) from a sample solution derived from the PUREX raffinate.