Process for the isolation of phosphorus-32 from irradiated sulphur

Abstract

Phosphorus-32 is isolated by contacting a solution of neutron-irradiated sulphur with quartz or a silicon-containing glass or ceramic, and recovering the phosphorus-32 retained by the solid material. A solution of irradiated sulphur in carbon disulphide may be passed through a column of powdered soda-lime glass, borosilicate glass, porcelain or quartz. The column is washed with solvent, treated with air to eliminate the solvent, and then with aqueous HCl or water (which may contain orthophosphate carrier) to elute the phosphorus-32 in the form of orthophosphate. Prior art processes are described in which (1) irradiated sulphur is distilled and the residue containing P-32 is treated with HC1; (2) irradiated sulphur is dissolved in hot toluene and the solution passed through an Al 2 O 3 column on which P-32 is retained and eluted with NaOH solution; (3) P-32 in a solution of irradiated MgSO 4 is oxidized to phosphate, ammonia is added, the precipitate dissolved in HC1, and the solution purified by precipitation of BaSO 4 and removal of cations by exchange resins.