Fractionation of the Lithium and Potassium Isotopes by Chemical Exchange with Zeolites

Abstract

A study has been made of the fractionation of the lithium isotopes by electrolysis and of the lithium, potassium, and nitrogen isotopes by chemical exchange with zeolites. The fractionation factor obtained by a ``batch'' electrolysis of lithium chloride solution was 1.039. The normal abundance ratio of the lithium and potassium isotopes was determined and found to be 11.71±0.14 for Li7 : Li6 and 14.10±0.09 for K39 : K41. The fractionation factor for the lithium isotopes in exchange with sodium zeolite was found to be 1.022. A partial separation of the lithium, potassium and nitrogen isotopes has been effected using long columns filled with zeolites. Both an increase and a decrease of about 25 percent from the normal abundance ratio has been obtained for the lithium isotopes and a change of about 10 percent for the potassium and nitrogen isotopes. Some of the factors involved in the mechanism of the process are discussed.