Method for separation of 90Y from 90Sr

Inorganic ion exchange materials for the separation of Y from Sr include chabazite, clinoptilolite, potassium pharmacosiderite, sodium titanosilicate and sodium nonatitanate. These materials are suitable for making a Y generator that contains Sr immobilized on an ion exchange column of the materials. The materials have a very high selectivity for Sr, a very low selectivity for Y, good radiation and thermal stability, low toxicity, fast reaction kinetics, and can be readily and reproducibly synthesized. A method is thus provided for eluting Y from the ion exchange material with an eluant solution. The eluant solution is preferably aqueous, preferably has a pH greater than about 5, and preferably includes a chelating agent. Preferred chelating agents include gluconic acid, oxalic acid, iminodiacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, citric acid, and combinations thereof.