Separation of carrier-free cerium radionuclides from different target matrix produced by heavy ion beams

Abstract

Heavy ion activation of natural Sb2O3 with 78 MeV 16O6+ results in the formation of carrier-free praseodymium isotopes, 133,135Pr, and their corresponding decay products 133,135Ce, in the matrix. Also irradiation with ~ 90 MeV 19F7+ beam leads to the production of carrier-free neodymium isotopes, 135-138Nd, which decay out to 135-138Ce via 135-138Pr. Another way for the production of carrier-free 135Ce radionuclide is to irradiate CsNO3 target with 7Li3+ beam of energy 44 MeV. The shorter lived radionuclides of cerium decay out and a radiochemical procedure has been developed for the separation of carrier-free radionuclides from the bulk target matrix antimony and caesium through liquid-liquid extraction (LLX) using Aliquat 336 (tricaprylmethylammonium chloride), and di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (HDEHP) as extractants.