Study finds a better way to separate zirconium and hafnium

[Marlin]

Study finds a better way to separate zirconium and hafnium

https://www.ans.org/news/2026-10-01/article-8451/study-finds-a-better-way-to-separate-zirconium-and-hafnium/

[Core Content]

Researchers at Oregon State University developed a water-based method to separate zirconium and hafnium using choline and thiocyanate ligands. The technique eliminates the need for toxic organic solvents and reduces energy requirements compared to current industrial extraction processes. While the laboratory results show high separation factors, commercial adoption will require further scaling studies and facility modifications.

Different shapes of the crystals in the precipitates. (Image: OSU)

Researchers at Oregon State University have published a paper in the Journal of the American Chemical Society on a new method of separating zirconium and hafnium, both of which are important for nuclear energy, and which are generally quite challenging to separate due to the elements' similarities.

According to the paper, more than 90 percent of Zr and Hf derived from zirconium silicate (zircon) is utilized by the nuclear industry, with high-purity Zr being widely used for nuclear fuel rod cladding. High-purity Hf is also used in the nuclear applications, typically for specialized control rods, such as those in nuclear submarines.

Read the full article at ans.org:
https://www.ans.org/news/2026-10-01/article-8451/study-finds-a-better-way-to-separate-zirconium-and-hafnium/