Instrumental neutron activation analysis of lanthanides and coexisting elements in monazite samples and group separation using synthesized inorganic ion exchangers

Samples of Egyptian monazite ore obtained from black sand of Abu-Khashaba, Rashied (Rosetta) area on the Mediterranean Sea coast were analyzed for some lanthanides and coexisting elements using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The analyses were carried out qualitatively and quantitatively for the elements Ce, Nd, Eu, Gd, Tb, Yb and Sc, La as well as the accompanying elements Co, Cr, Fe, Hf, Nb, Zn, Zr in addition to the actinides Th and U; whereas after relatively longer decay time the following lanthanide elements were analyzed: Ce, Nd, Eu, Gd, Tb, Yb and Sc, beside the accompanying elements Co, Cr, Fe, Hf, Nb, Zn, Zr and Th. Two certified reference materials (CRM) were used in this study. For sorption studies, radioactive isotopes Ce-141, Tb-160, Yb-169, Zr-95, Hf-181, and Nb-95 were prepared by neutron irradiation to trace the adsorption behaviors of their corresponding elements under certain conditions. Furthermore, radiochemical separation of the analyzed elements in the irradiated monazite samples in sulfuric acid solutions was carried out. Ion exchange technique was applied under static and dynamic conditions and the employed inorganic ion exchangers were locally synthesized and characterized using FT-IR and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tools. Good group separation of the analyzed lanthanide elements from the accompanying elements was achieved.