Strategies based on calixcrowns for the detection and removal of cesium ions from alkali-containing solutions

Calixcrowns have proved to be excellent sequestering agents for cesium ions , even in the concurrent presence in solution of massive amounts of other a lkali metal ions. This property has rendered such ligands as good candidate s for the selective,detection/removal of cesium ions from radioactive liqui d wastes coming from nuclear processes. Strategies based on the anchoring o f such macrocyclic ligands onto silica-gel supports for ion chromatography analysis and on their inclusion into polymeric membranes are summarized her e. Methods to correct for contaminants present on the stationary-phase surf aces are briefly outlined. Advantages offered by the methods presented are also highlighted.