Abstract
Y
3+
retention from aqueous media onto Chelex-100 sorbent impregnated with ammonium nitrate was studied. Y
3+
uptake was rapid, reached maximum within 40 min and followed pseudo first order equation. Modified Chelex100 sorbent was successfully packed in column for separation of
90
Y from its parent
90
Sr. The method was based upon retention of Y
3+
at pH 1.0 onto sorbent packed column in aqueous diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA). Y
3+
species were recovered with HNO
3
and analyzed. The radiochemical and radionuclide purity of
90
Y in the eluate were ascertained. The method is low cost and provides rapid approach for separation of Y
3+
from Sr
2+
.