Methods of producing peroxides of uranium may include preparing an aqueous solution comprising uranyl ions (UO.sub.2.sup.+2) in a vessel, bubbling ozone (O.sub.3) through the aqueous solution comprising the uranyl ions, and recovering the peroxide of uranium. The peroxide of uranium may comprise at least one of studtite (UO.sub.4.Math.4(H.sub.2O) or metastudtite (UO.sub.4.Math.2(H.sub.2O).

A method of separating actinium and/or radium from proton-irradiated thorium metal. The thorium metal is irradiated to produce isotopes including thorium, actinium and/or radium. The resultant product is dissolved in solution and a selective precipitant is used to precipitate a bulk portion of the thorium. The precipitated thorium can be recovered. Chromatography is carried out on the remaining solution to remove residual thorium and to separate the actinium from the radium.