Separation of carrier-free cerium radionuclides from different target matrix produced by heavy ion beams

Heavy ion activation of natural Sb2O3 with 78 MeV O-16(6+) results in the f ormation of carrier-free praseodymium isotopes, Pr-133,Pr-135 and their cor responding decay products Ce-133,Ce-135, in the matrix. Also irradiation wi th similar to 90 MeV F-19(7+) beam leads to the production of carrier-free neodymium isotopes, Nd135-138, which decay out to Ce135-138 via Pr135-138. Another way for the production of carrier-free Ce-135 radionuclide is to ir radiate CsNO3 target with Li-7(3+) beam of energy 44 MeV. The shorter lived radionuclides of cerium decay out and a radiochemical procedure has been d eveloped for the separation of carrier-free radionuclides from the bulk tar get matrix antimony and caesium through liquid-liquid extraction (LLX) usin g Aliquat 336 (tricaprylmethylammonium chloride), and di-(2-ethylhexyl)phos phoric acid (HDEHP) as extractants.