Publications Repository - Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf

The chemical separation of zirconium from lanthanides by liquid-liquid extraction is challenging but critical for medical and technological applications. Using the example of ⁸⁹Zr, we optimize the liquid-liquid-extraction process by means of the radiotracer technique. We produced ⁸⁹Zr by proton irradiation of a metallic yttrium target at a cyclotron. The purification of the radionuclide was performed by a UTEVA resin. ⁸⁹Zr was separated in no-carrier-added form in a sulfuric acid solution. ⁸⁹Zr was successfully used in solvent extraction tests with calixarenes for the separation of zirconium from lanthanides. This reaction is suitable for the efficient extraction and purification of lanthanides.