Application of Capillary Electrophoresis with Laser-induced Fluorescence Detection for the Determination of Trace Neodymium in Spent Nuclear Fuel Using Complexation with an Emissive Macrocyclic Polyaminocarboxylate Probe

Abstract

A simple and rapid method with low radiation exposure risk was developed for the determination of neodymium in spent nuclear fuel by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection using a fluorescent probe having a macrocyclic hexadentate polyaminocarboxylate structure. The concentration of Nd(III) in a spent nuclear fuel sample was determined with no interference from various matrix elements, including lanthanides and uranium (at a 200-fold excess), with 92 ± 3% recovery. This is due to high resolution based on establishing a ternary complex equilibrium during migration in which the hydroxyl ion plays an auxiliary role (log K_Ln–L–OH = 3.9 – 5.3).