Retention profile and chromatographic separation of Y3+ from Sr2+ by Chelex-100 (cation ion exchanger) physically immobilized with ammonium ion

Y3+ retention from aqueous media onto Chelex-100 sorbent impregnated with ammonium nitrate was studied. Y3+ uptake was rapid, reached maximum within 40 min and followed pseudo first order equation. Modified Chelex100 sorbent was successfully packed in column for separation of 90Y from its parent 90Sr. The method was based upon retention of Y3+ at pH 1.0 onto sorbent packed column in aqueous diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA). Y3+ species were recovered with HNO3 and analyzed. The radiochemical and radionuclide purity of 90Y in the eluate were ascertained. The method is low cost and provides rapid approach for separation of Y3+ from Sr2+.