Production of no carrier-added⁵⁴Mn using HTTA-loaded polyurethane foam

Studies on the sorption of Fe(III) and Mn(II) on HTTA-loaded PUR foam show that only Fe(III) is adsorbed at pH 1-5. On the basis of this observation, a new procedure has been evolved for the separation of Mn(II) from Fe(III) to facilitate a no carrier-added production of ⁵⁴Mn (t_1/2 = 312 days) via the ⁵⁴Fe(n,p)⁵⁴Mn nuclear reaction. The dynamic column and static squeezing methods were applied to separate the two radionuclides. The distribution ratio of Fe/Mn was found to be 10⁵ at pH 3.5; Fe(III) was quantitatively adsorbed on HTTA-loaded PUR foam, whereas ⁵⁴Mn remained in the solution. The radionuclidic purity of the depleted solution containing ⁵⁴Mn was almost 100% as checked by γ-ray spectrometry. The radioisotope ⁵⁴Mn is suitable for use in hydrology and as tracer for nuclear studies. The procedure developed for the separation of no carrier-added ⁵⁴Mn is quite suitable at semipilot plant scale.