Two-step separation of Th, La and Ba using combined chromatographic columns

A combined chromatographic columns including LN resin and P204 resin were fabricated to separate Th4+, La3+ and Ba2+ ions with a series of parallel experiments at different acidity and initial concentrations. The results show that LNS resin can selectively adsorb Th4+ ions but not La3+ and Ba2+ ions in 1 mol/L HNO3, and the separation factor of Th/La and Th/Ba can reach up to 8.260 × 104 and 8.224 × 105, respectively. The La3+ and Ba2+ ions can be separated by P204 resin at pH = 3 with a separation factor of 2.191 × 104. The successful separation and enrichment of La in this separation system provides a possibility for the separation of Ac, which is of great significance to TAT.