Isolation of ¹³⁷Cs with Copper Ferrocyanide-Anion

Exchange Resin

Abstract

The adsorption and desorption of ¹³⁷Cs on copper ferrocyanide-anion exchange resin, prepared in the manner previously reported in this Journal in a Short Note, are presented in detail.
This resin can also be used for the concentration of the ¹³⁷Cs found in sea water. The nuclide is adsorbed effectively on the resin from water, hydrochloric acid below 4M, and on nitric acid below 1M. After adsorpaion on the resin, ¹³⁷Cs is eluted easily with either nitric acid (>6M), ammonium water, or silver nitrate solution.
Adsorption on the resin is specific for ¹³⁷Cs, and the action is due entirely to the ferrocyanide moiety of the resin.
This method is more efficient than the co-precipitation method with copper ferrocyanide for the concentration of radiocesium from a large volume of sea water