Abstract: Preparation and use of polymeric materials containing hydrophobic anions and plasticizers for extraction of cesium and strontium. The use of polymeric materials containing plasticizers which are solvents for hydrophobic anions such as derivatives of cobalt dicarbollide or tetraphenylborate which are capable of extracting cesium and strontium ions from aqueous solutions in contact with the polymeric materials, is described. The polymeric material may also include a synergistic agent for a given ion like polyethylene glycol or a crown ether, for removal of radioactive isotopes of cesium and strontium from solutions of diverse composition and, in particular, for solutions containing large excess of sodium nitrate.

Abstract: The improved method of separating transplutonium elements from lanthanides comprises the steps of adding an organic solvent containing an N-heterocyclic compound and a hydrophobic anion to an acidic aqueous solution containing both a lanthanide and a transplutonium element (TPE) and then extracting the transplutonium element into the organic phase. The method is capable of selective extraction of TPE without producing liquid wastes, is adapted to the continuous treatment process and yet can be implemented using inexpensive chemicals.