Lithium isotope separation on an ion exchange resin having azacrown ether as an anchor group

Abstract

A study on the separation of lithium isotopes was carried out with an ion exchange resin having 1,7,13-trioxa-4,10,16-triazacyclooctadecane (N3O3) as an anchor group. The lighter isotope, 6Li concentrated in the resin phase, while the heavier isotope, 7Li is enriched in the fluid phase. Upon column chromatography [0.6 cm (I.D.) x 20 an (height)] using 1.0M ammonium chloride solution as an eluent, single separation factor, α, 1.068 (6Li/7Li)(resin)/(6Li/7Li)(solution) was obtained by the GLUECKAUF method from the elution curve and isotope ratios.