Separation of Zirconium and Hafnium by Reversed Phase Partition Chromatography

Abstract

THE technique of reversed phase partition chromatography is being increasingly used for the separation of metals of similar chemical behaviour. Siekierski and Fidelis^1,2 describe the application of this technique to the separation of the rare-earth metals, using tributyl phosphate absorbed on kieselguhr as the stationary phase, and nitric acid in various concentrations as the eluant. Pierce and Peck^3,4 use di-(2-ethylhexyl) o-phosphoric acid on polyvinyl chloride/acetate copolymer (‘Corvic’), also for the separation of rare earths. Hamlin et al.⁵ use tributyl phosphate on Kel-F for the isolation of uranium from many metals, while Pierce and Peck⁶ use dithizone/carbon tetrachloride/chloroform on cellulose acetate⁷ for the isolation of indium. Biochemical separations have also been described⁸. A number of metal separations are described by Cerrai and Testa⁹ using trioctyl phosphine oxide on cellulose powder.