Research progress on the theory and new technology for separation of lithium isotopes by chemical exchange

doi:10.11949/0438-1157.20201813

Abstract

Abstract:

The development of nuclear energy is an important measure for China's sustainable development. Lithium is an important energy strategy metal. The separation of lithium isotopes (⁶Li, ⁷Li) is a key technical problem that must be solved in nuclear energy development. It has received extensive attention from international and domestic scientists. It is a big challenge for the separation of lithium isotopes because of the similar extra-nucleus electronic structure of ⁶Li and ⁷Li. This paper reviews briefly the progress of ⁶Li/⁷Li separation by chemical exchange since the 1960s. The theoretical research as well as the new materials and medias developed for ⁶Li/⁷Li separation in the past five years are especially highlighted. Crown ether and its derivatives are the main chemical exchangers, but they have the drawback of poor binding performance with Li⁺, thereby low distribution coefficients of Li⁺. In view of this, the current researches on the enhancement of Li⁺ binding with crown ethers are summarized. The paper is expected to provide guidance for the development of new materials and systems for⁶Li/⁷Li separation.

Key words: chemical exchange, lithium isotope, Urey model, crown ether, ion pair

摘要：

发展核能是我国可持续发展的重要举措，锂作为重要的能源战略金属，锂同位素（⁶Li、⁷Li）分离是核能开发必须解决的关键技术难题，受到国际及国内科学家的广泛关注。⁶Li、⁷Li具有完全相同的电子结构，两者具有几乎相同的化学性质，分离难度极大。本文简要回顾了20世纪60年代以来化学交换法分离锂同位素取得的进展，重点综述了同位素分离的理论研究以及近五年来锂同位素分离的新材料、新介质。针对目前冠醚在分离锂同位素过程中存在的冠醚分子易流失、Li⁺的分配系数低等问题对现有的研究和报道进行了总结，有望为锂同位素分离新材料和新体系的开发提供指导。

关键词: 化学交换法, 锂同位素, Urey模型, 冠醚, 离子对

CLC Number:

TF 826.3

CUI Li, FAN Yuheng, LI Shasha, BAI Ruibing, GUO Yanxia, CHENG Fangqin. Research progress on the theory and new technology for separation of lithium isotopes by chemical exchange[J]. CIESC Journal, 2021, 72(6): 3215-3227.

崔莉, 樊宇亨, 李莎莎, 白瑞兵, 郭彦霞, 程芳琴. 化学交换法分离锂同位素的理论及新技术研究进展[J]. 化工学报, 2021, 72(6): 3215-3227.

Figures/Tables 4

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