Ligand (biochemistry)

Actinide

Receptor

Organic chemistry

High-performance liquid chromatography

Lanthanide

Chromatographic separation

Extraction (chemistry)

Radiochemistry

Inorganic chemistry

Chemistry

Acetic acid

Separation process

Separation method

Americium

Solvent extraction

Chromatography

Biochemistry

Radiochimica Acta

Separation of trivalent actinide (An) and lanthanide (Ln) elements is one of the burning topics in the back end of the nuclear fuel cycle due to the similarity in their chemical behaviour. A significant amount of research is being carried out worldwide to develop suitable ligands for the separation of the trivalent actinides and lanthanides. Some of the research groups are engaged in continuous improvement of the di-ethylene-triamine-penta acetic acid (DTPA) based Ln/An separation method, whereas extensive research is going on for the development of the lipophilic and hydrophilic ‘N’ donor heteropolycyclic ligands as the actinide selective ligand. A number of ‘S’ donor ligands are also explored for the Ln/An separation. In the present review, we made an attempt to highlight various separation processes based on soft donor ligands developed for Ln/An separations. Beside the conventional solvent extraction processes, separation possibilities membrane based and solid phase extraction techniques are evaluated for the Ln/An separation and are compiled in the present review.

Separation of trivalent actinides and lanthanides using various ‘N’, ‘S’ and mixed ‘N,O’ donor ligands: a review