Electroosmotic effects in the determination of ion mobilities of carrier-free radionuclides in free aqueous electrolyte solutions

Abstract

A device for on-line electromigration studies of radio-elements in free electrolytes has been tested by measuring the absolute individual ion mobilities of no-carrier-added single charged anions [99mTc]TcO4 - and [18F]F- and differently charged cations [137Cs]Cs+, [57Co]Co2+ and [241Am]Am3+ in inert aqueous electrolytes at 298.1 K. The observed ion mobilities were found to be influenced by electroosmosis in the migration tube. A relation to correct this effect is proposed. In addition, it was shown that the effect of electroosmosis may be suppressed by chemical treatment of the surface of the migration tube.