Influence of gamma-radiation on the ionic liquid [C(4)mim][PF(6)] during extraction of strontium ions

The preliminary results presented here show that c-irradiation of ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C(4)mim][PF(6)]) markedly decreases Sr(2+) partitioning in the crown ether/[C(4)mim][PF(6)] extraction phase due to the competition between radation-generated H(+) and Sr(2+) to interact with the crown ether, however, washing irradiated [C(4)mim][PF(6)] with water gives a simple way of recycling the ionic liquid.