The extraction chromatography of americium, curium, berkelium and californium with di(2-ethylhexyl)orthophosphoric acid

Abstract The extraction chromatography of Am(III), Cm(III), Bk(III), and Cf(III) was studied using di(2-ethylhexyl)orthophosphoric acid (HDEHP) adsorbed on hydrophobic diatomaceous earth (Celite-545). Dilute nitric and hydrochloric acid solutions were used as the elutriants. The effect of flow rate on the plate height was measured and compared for Cm(III), Am(III), Bk(III), Cf(III), and Es(III) at 25°C. The distribution coefficientsof Am(III), Cm(III), Bk(III), and Cf(III) and the separation factors Cm(III)/Am(III), Bk(III)/Cm(III), Cf(III)/Bk(III), and Cf(III)/Cm(III), were studied as a function of temperature with HDEHP adsorbed on Celite and HDEHP in heptane. The extraction chromatography method was applied to the separation of Bk(III) and Cf(III) and to the separation of Cm(III) and Cf(III).