One column operation for 90Sr/90Y separation by using a functionalized-silica

Organo-ceramic hybrid materials have been developed as the separation media for a 90Sr/90Y generator system. Currently available 90Y is generally extracted from a mother solution by a solvent extraction or a successive column operation. Both processes are successfully applied to produce 90Y with a high quality standard. However, such processes are highly dependent on what kind of extracting materials are employed. Hence, some of the previously developed technologies are not adequate for a 90Y production because of a waste generation or leaching of radiolytic end-products from the extracting materials. In this study, high performance organo-ceramic hybrid materials have been applied for the extraction of 90Y. The hybrid materials have properties of both a ceramic and a solvent extractant by molecularly implanting the extracting molecules on to the ceramic surfaces. In this study, organo-phosphorus functionalized hybrid materials are synthesized and tested as the separation media for the 90Y/90Sr generator system. An adsorptive extraction with a small Sep-Pak type column can recover more than 92% of 90Y with a contamination ratio of 90Sr/90Y=1.2×10−5 from the mother solution and 70% with 5×10−7.