Behavior of Zirconium-95 and Niobium-95 in Dilute Hydrochloric Acid toward Cation Exchange Resin

By passing 0.2 N hydrochloric acid solution of tracer amounts of 95Zr and 95Nb (about 10−11 mol./1., 10−13 mol., or 1 μC, with respect to each nuclide) through a cation exchange resin column (Dowex 50–X8, Amberlite IR-120, or Diaion SK) and eluting with 0.2 N hydrochloric acid, a fraction containing mainly 95Nb was obtained. A fraction containing mainly 95Zr was then obtained by eluting with 0.5% oxalic acid or 3 N hydrochloric acid. With higher concentrations of non-active zirconium and niobium (about 106 mol./1. each), similar results were also obtained. As the 0.2 N hydrochloric acid solution of 95Zr–95Nb became aged, the adsorbability of 95Zr decreased. Effect of hydrochloric acid concentration on the adsorbability of 95Zr and 95Nb was studied and the concentration range 0.1 to 0.3 N was found to be suitable for separation. The adsorbability of 95Nb increased with an increase in the concentration of strontium ion.