DETERMINATION OF IMPURITIES BY ICP-MS AFTER SEPARATION OF ZIRCONIUM MATRIX BY SOLVENT EXTRACTION WITH 2-ETHYLHEXYLPHOSPHONIC ACID MONO-2-ETHYLHEXYL ESTER

Abstract

    Investigation of the effects of extraction time, extractant concentration, diluents, acids and loading capacity of the extractant with 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (PC88A) in kerosene on extracting of Zr(V) has been done. The optimal conditions for extraction of 25 mg/mL Zr(IV) are: 1 to 3.5M HNO3, kerosene diluent, 50% PC88A, 1 hrs. for phase contact time. Extraction efficiency of Zr(V) increase in order:  H2SO4 << HCl < HNO3.  Extraction, stripping of Zr, Hf and scrubbing impurities have been studied and showed that using 3M and 4M HNO3, can scrubbing 95% of almost investigated impurity elements and stripping about 22-28% of Zr(V). Obtained results allow to determine the content of impurities in Zr nuclear materials by ICP-MS technique after removal of Zr using extraction with PC88A/kerosene solvent. Keywords: extraction, zirconium, HNO3, PC88A, kerosene, impurities, ICP-MS.