Rapid separation of americium from complex matrices using solvent impregnated triazine extraction chromatography resins

Several novel extraction chromatography resins (EXC) have been synthesised by solvent impregna-tion of the triazine ligands 6,6'-bis(5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobenzo[1,2,4]triazin-3-yl)-2,2'- bipyridine (CyMe4BTBP) and 2,9-bis(5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-benzo[1,2,4]triazin-3-yl)-1,10-phenanthroline (CyMe(4)BTPhen) into Amberlite XAD7 and Amberchrom CG300 polymer supports. The resins have been physically characterised by a suite of spectroscopic, analytical and imaging techniques. The resins have also been evaluated in terms of their ability to selectively extract americium from com-plex matrices intended to simulate those typical of spent nuclear fuel raffinate, environmental samples and nuclear forensics samples. The resins have been compared with previously reported attempts to gen-erate EXC resins based on CyMe4BTBP and CyMe(4)BTPhen. Previously reported resins all rely on complex synthesis for the formation of a covalent bond between extractant and support by contrast with the sim-pler solvent impregnation method reported here. The Amberchrom supported CyMe4BTBP resin achieved a weight distribution ration (D-Am) of 170 within 60 min and a decontamination factor (DF) of > 10 0 0 for americium over lanthanides by column chromatography. The Amberchrom CyMe(4)BTPhen resin achieved a D-Am of 540 within 30 min and a DF for americium from lanthanides of 60-160. (c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Several novel extraction chromatography resins (EXC) have been synthesized by solvent impregnation method, and they show good performance in selectively extracting americium. Compared with previous complex synthesis methods, the solvent impregnation method reported in this study is simpler and more effective.