DETERMINATION OF THE LITHIUM ISOTOPIC SEPARATION FACTOR IN THE DECALSO (ZEOLITE)-SODIUM CHLORIDE SYSTEM

Separation of lithium isotopes by selective sorption of the light component on an ion exchanger with a separation factor of 1.022 calculated from the Raleigh equation was reported by Taylor and Urey. Some of these experiments were repeated to evaluate the method. In an approximate duplication of one of these in which LiCl solution was batch extracted by successive equilibrations with Na/sup +/-form Decalso (hydrated sodium-- alunninum silicate-- zeolite) failed to show any significant fractionation of the Li/sup 6/-Li/sup 7/ isotopes. No definite reasons for the discrepancy were established; however, it was concluded that the separation factor for lithium isotopes in a Decalso system is less than 1.02/sup +/. Brief consideration was also given to the possibility of enhancing the separation by addition of a versene salt. Data are presented tabularly and graphically. (J.R.D.)