Separations of lanthanides and actinides using novel hybrid ion exchange materials, M(IV) phosphonates

Zirconium diethylene triamine pentamethylene phosphonate and titanium diethylene triamine pentamethylene phosphonate, novel hybrid cation exchange materials of the class of tetravalent metal acid salts, synthesized by sol-gel method has been characterized by spectroscopy and thermal analysis. Distribution coefficient and breakthrough capacity for La3+, Ce3+, Pr3+, Nd3+, Sm3+ (lanthanides) and Th4+, UO22+ (actinides) have been studied. Based on the differential affinity/selectivity and elution behavior of various metal ions, a few binary and ternary metal ion separations have been carried out.