Volatilization of Ruthenium from Various Aqueous Solutions at Room Temperature

Volatilization of radioruthenium from acidic or alkaline sample solutions at room temperature was studied. A sample solution containing radioruthenium is placed in a glass tube with ruthenium carrier and oxidizing agent. The mouth of the tube is covered with parafilm and the tube contents are stirred slowly, while the ruthenium is gradually oxidized to gaseous tetroxide. When contact with the tetroxide, parafilm surface was covered with insoluble black deposit of ruthenium. The effects of elapsed time, concentration of ruthenium carrier, kinds of sample solutions and oxidizing agents on volatilization were studied.