Isotope Effects of Uranium by Ion Exchange in the System Dowex 50 / α-Hydroxyisobutyrate

Abstract

In this investigation the isotope effect of uranium in the system Dowex 50 resin/ α- hydroxyisobutyrate solution was studied by mass spectrometry. A recycle ion exchange column was used for the separation experiments. The dependence of the isotope effect on the pH value and on the concentration of the α-hydroxyisobutyrate solution used as eluent was investigated. In the case of a 0.07 ᴍ and a 0.22 ᴍ α-hydroxyisobutyrate solution the elementary separation factor of uranium was calculated to be 1.00019 and 1.00006, respectively. In both cases an enrichment of 235U in relation to 238U was found in the solution. In addition the distribution factor of the uranyl ions in the investigated system was determined in the pH range between 2 and 6. The distribution factor depends strongly on the pH value. With increasing pH values the distribution factor decreases. The results obtained for the elementary separation factor and the distribution factor are compared with other investigations.