Enrichment of 6Li using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction as a highly efficient technique

Isotope separation of lithium by the dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction system H2O/C2Cl4/C3H6O is investigated using benzo-15-crown-5 for finding an efficient way for the enrichment of Li-6. Samples collected in the best and worst conditions were used for the isotopic analysis by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The maximum isotope enrichment factor epsilon(max) for Li-6/Li-7 obtained in the present study was 0.082 +/- 0.0021. As a result, the lighter isotope, Li-6, was concentrated in the receiving phase, whereas in most of cases the heavier isotope, Li-7, was enriched in the source phase. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.