Cesium and Strontium Extraction Using a Mixed Extractant Solvent Including Crown Ether and Calixarene Extractants

A mixed extractant solvent including calix[ 4]arene-bis-(tert­octylbenzo )-crown-6 ("BOBCalixC6"), 4',4',(5')-di-(t-butyl­dicyclo-hexano )-18-crown-6 ("DtBu18C6"), and at least one modifier dissolved in a diluent. The mixed extractant solvent may be used to remove cesium and strontium from an acidic solution. The DtBu18C6 may be present from approximately 0.01 M to approximately 0.4M, such as from approximately 0.086 M to approximately 0.108 M. The modifier may be 1-(2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropoxy)-3-( 4-sec­butylphenoxy)-2-propanol ("Cs-7SB") and may be present from approximately 0.0lM to approximately 0.8M. In one embodiment, the mixed extractant solvent includes approxi­mately 0.15M DtBu18C6, approximately 0.007M BOB­CalixC6, and approximately 0.75M Cs-7SB modifier dis­solved in an isoparaflinic hydrocarbon diluent. The mixed extractant solvent may form an organic phase in an extrac­tion system that also includes an aqueous phase. Methods of extracting cesium and strontium as well as strontium alone are also disclosed.