Separation of thorium and uranium in nitric acid solution using silica based anion exchange resin

To separate thorium and uranium in nitric acid solution using anion exchange process, a strong base silica-based anion exchange resin (SiPyR-N4) was synthesized. Batch experiments were conducted and the separation factor of thorium and uranium in 9   M nitric acid was about 10. Ion exchange chromatography was applied to separate thorium and uranium in different ratios. Uranium could be eluted by 9   M nitric acid and thorium was eluted by 0.1   M nitric acid. It was proved that thorium and uranium can be separated and recovered successfully by this method.