Separation of radium and actinium using zirconia

Zirconia was investigated as a radiation-resistant support for radium and actinium aqueous ion separations. Acetate and total metal ion concentrations were experimentally evaluated as factors that could affect retention using La and Ba surrogates. Pseudo-second order rate constants were derived and the uptake of La was determined to be endothermic. Elution profiles containing Ba, La, ²²⁸Ra, ²²⁸Ac, and ²¹²Pb are presented and discussed.