Studies of Actinium(III) in Various Solutions, (I)

Separation and Purification of ²²⁸Ac in ²²⁸Ra Solutions by Solvent Extraction Method

Abstract

A solvent extraction method using a mixture of 0.1M thenoyltrifluoroacetone and 0.1M tributylphosphate in carbon tetrachloride has been developed for the separation and purification of ²²⁸Ac in ²²⁸Ra solutions. The ²²⁸Ra was first purified by a preliminary extraction cycle. The ²²⁸Ac which had accumulated int his ²²⁸Ra fraction after the purification was separated and purified by a second solvent extraction cycle. Since commercially available ²²⁸Ra solution very often contains ²²⁶Ra, the γ-radioactive decay products of the ²²⁸Ra have to be carefully removed. The ²²⁸Ac thus prepared was found to be pure enough for use as tracer.