Extraction-chromatographic isolation of 90Y for medical purposes

A procedure is described for isolating 90Y from its equilibrium mixture with 90Sr. It is based on extraction-chromatographic separation of 90Sr and 90Y on columns packed with a solid extractant based on di-2-ethylhexyl hydrogen phosphate. Further purification of 90Y is made by its sorption on a column with an yttrium-specific sorbent based on octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide in TBP, and then on a cation-exchange resin. The whole process is performed in a nitric acid solution, which, in contrast to hydrochloric acid solutions, does not cause strong corrosion of stainless steel equipment, thus facilitating decontamination of the final product from inactive impurity cations.