Extraction chromatographic separation of carrier-free Y-90 from Sr-90/Y-90 generator by crown ether coated silica gels

A remarkable extraction chromatographic method for the preparation of Y-90 of high radiochemical purity has been developed. The generator consists of silica gel coated crown ether. It functions as a strong adsorber for Sr-90 and in the meantime high purity of Y-90 is eluted with a dilute solution of picric acid after a suitable period. The experiments indicated that DC18C6 coated silica gel is better than that of DB18C6 coated. The extraction capacity of strontium on 3.8% DC18C6 coated silica gel is 5.6 mg Sr/g silica gel. Yttrium is obtained with more than 95% milking yield with radionuclide purity greater than 99.9%. The extraction chromatographic generator does not change its characteristics even after 5 elutions.