Uptake of Metal Ions by Extraction Chromatography Using Dimethyl Dibutyl Tetradecyl-1,3-malonamide (DMDBTDMA) as the Stationary Phase

The uptake of several actinides and fission products such as U(VI), Pu(IV), Am(III), Eu(III), Cs(I), and Sr(II) from nitric acid solutions by a novel extraction chromatographic resin containing dimethyl dibutyl tetradecyl-1,3-malonamide (DMDBTDMA) has been investigated. The order of uptake follows the order Pu(IV) U(VI) Am(III) ∼ Eu(III) Sr(II) ∼ Cs(I). The possibility of this resin material sorbing trace concentrations of actinide ions from nitric acid solutions containing relatively larger amounts of Nd(III) and U(VI), as well as from simulated pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR) waste solution, has been evaluated. The uptake of Am(III) in the presence of NaNO3, as well as in the presence of a macro concentration of Fe(III), has been investigated. The capacity of the resin for Am(III) and the elution behavior of the actinide ions from the resin were also studied.