Separation of protactinium from uranium-niobium alloys for (231)Pa–(235)U radiochronometry in nuclear forensic investigations

The isolation and purification of protactinium from uranium materials is essential for (231)Pa–(235)U radiochronometry, but separating Pa from uranium-niobium alloys, a common material in the nuclear fuel cycle, is challenging due to the chemical similarity of Pa and Nb. Here we present three resin chromatography separation techniques for isolating Pa from U and Nb which were independently developed by three different laboratories through ad hoc adaptations of standard operating procedures. Our results underscore the need for and value of purification methods suitable for a diversity of uranium-based materials to ensure the operational readiness of nuclear forensics laboratories. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10967-023-08928-y.