Radiochemical Separation Techniques in Classroom Settings

In view of the mounting requirements for courses in nuclear chemistry and radiochemistry, hands-on experience in the separations of radioisotopes is imperative. Three separation techniques commonly used were introduced, coprecipitation, liquid-liquid extraction, and ion-exchange chromatography. Their principles and the associated fundamental thermodynamic concepts are detailed. Their respective experimental applications to the separations of radioisotopes of one rare earth element (europium) and two transition metals (cobalt and nickel) are discussed. In-classroom experimental settings are proposed, and experiment outcomes are presented, which can be beneficial for future implementation within nuclear chemistry and radiochemistry programs in higher education.