Rapid paper-electrophoretic separation of strontium from yttrium, caesium from barium and thallium from lead and bismuth in radioactive mixtures

A number of separations are described in which paper electropheresis is used in combination with the appearance of electrochemically generated basic and acidic zones at the electrodes. By choice of the proper electrolyte solutions, with or without complexing properties, a simple method has been devised which makes possible the rapid separation of certain ion combinations. Complete separations of 90Sr and 90Y; 137Cs and 137Ba; 208Tl 212Bi and 212Pb and an incomplete separation of 210Po from 210Bi and 210Pb have been achieved.