Selective adsorption and separation of Cu(II) from Zn solution by CU resin

The aim of present study was to determine the efficiency of CU selective resin for separation of radionuclides Cu from large excess of Zn. Adsorption behaviors towards Cu 2+ ions was investigated as function of solution pH, contact time, Cu 2+ concentration, Zn 2+ concentration, amount of CU resin, the effect of coexisting cation ions and the irradiation stability of CU resin. A stronger binding propensity towards Cu 2+ ions over Zn 2+ and excellent radiation resistance of CU resin were found, which endowed that this CU resin is capable of effectively separating radioisotopes Cu. Moreover the good separation of Cu 2+ has been achieved from bulky Zn 2+ using column chromatography separation. In general, the present research has confirmed the great potential application of CU resin as a more efficient column chromatography material for the separation of medical radioisotopes Cu from irradiated Zn targets.