Preparation and characterization of an extraction chromatography column for technetium separation based on Aliquat-336 and silica gel support

An extraction chromatographic material based on Aliquat-336 anchored on hydrophobized silica gel support was prepared as an ion exchanger. The prepared material appeared to be suitable for the separation of Tc-99 from environmental matrices in column application. The properties of the material, sorption characteristic and distribution coefficient of (TcO4-)-Tc-99m in various media were studied. The prepared sorbent was conditioned by washing with nitric acid. The solution containing (TcO4-)-Tc-99m in 0.1M HNO3 was passed through the column. Tc was eluted from the column by 8M HNO3. The flow rate was 0.4 ml/min. The chemical yield of technetium during the separation process was determined using Tc-99m tracer and gamma measurement. The sorption recovery of Tc from the prepared sorbent with 0.1M HNO3 solution was more than 98%, and the desorption recovery from the column using 8M HNO3 varied between 92-96%. It was found that the prepared sorbent is suitable for the separation of technetium from environmental matrices and radioactive wastes.