Two-stage chromatographic separation of americium and curium using NaBiO3-Celite and DGA column prior to α-spectrometry analysis

Abstract

In this study, NaBiO₃-Celite column was used to separate Cm from Am based on the oxidition and adsorption ability of NaBiO₃. However, the dissolved Bi affects α-spectral measurement of Am and Cm. So, DGA resin was used to remove Bi based on the adsorption properties in HNO₃ and HCl mediums. Finally, the two-stage chromatographic separation method was developed and achieved high recoveries (> 80% for both Am and Cm) with high decontamination factors (DF) (> 4 × 10⁴ of DF_Cm/Am, 2 × 10² of DF_Am/Cm). It was promising as the final purification step prior to the α analysis of Am and Cm.