Enrichment of lithium isotope 6Li by ion exchange resin with specific particle size

Enrichment of lithium isotopes by displacement chromatography on strong acid cation exchanger was investigated. Narrow particle fraction of Dowex 50 WX 2 cation exchanger having diameter of 150–200 µm and total exchange capacity of 1.31 meq mL−1 was used as stationary phase. As a mobile phase, 1 mol L−1 solution of ammonium nitrate solution was used. Shape and position of Li chromatographic peak, was determined by atomic emission spectroscopy (AES). Isotope ratio was estimated by ICP–MS after 1, 8 and 10 enrichment steps. Value of separation factor for 6Li in one step was determined to be 1.027.