PREPARATION AND EXTRACTION OF S35

Abstract

Procedures are described for the preparation and extraction of carrier-free S35, based on the Cl35 (n, p) S35 reaction. Potassium chloride, sodium chloride, and ferric chloride have been used as target materials. The S35 is found to appear in a chemical form which exchanges rapidly with sulphate ion. Separation of S35 from irradiated potassium or sodium chloride is effected by taking advantage of the insolubility of these salts in aqueous hydrochloric acid solutions. Approximately 99.8% of the salt can be removed while leaving 95% of the S35 in solution. Separation from irradiated ferric chloride is effected by solvent extraction of the ferric chloride from aqueous 6 to 8 M hydrochloric acid solutions. Less than 0.1% of the total solids is left unextracted. The yield of S35 approaches 100%.