Carrier-free separation of 22Na from magnesium by chromatographic techniques

Carrier-free 22Na was separated from bulk quantities of magnesium by both ion exchange and extraction chromatographic techniques. An extraction chromatographic procedure based on di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (HDEHP) coated on to an inert support (Amberlite XAD-7) was developed for the first time for separation of sodium from magnesium. The sorption behavior for sodium and magnesium was studied as a function of percentage of HDEHP loaded on to the inert support as well as pH of aqueous phase. These data were used to arrive at the optimum conditions of separation. In addition, carrier free 22Na was also separated from magnesium using ion exchange chromatographic technique.