Isolation of carrier-free yttrium from the radioactive strontium-yttrium system by electrodeposition

Abstract

A rapid method has been devised for isolating carrier-free yttrium of radiochemically high purity from the parent radioactive strontium by electrodeposition. The radiochemical purity of the yttrium-90 separated is more than 99.9%. The effect of pH, temperature, and voltage on the yield and purity has been examined. The yttrium is deposited on the platinum foil cathode by electrolyzing the ⁹⁰Sr-⁹⁰Y solution of pH 56 with 26 volt at room temperature for a desired period of time using a rotating platinum wire anode. It can easily be leached out of the platinum cathode with dilute acids as needed. Ammonium chloride, nitrate, or sulfate can be used as a supporting electrolyte. Addition of chelating agents will effect an improvement in the purity of the isolated yttrium, though with decreased yield