Purification of Mo-99 and Tc-99m from radioactive traces of Nb, Zr, and Y impurities: method applicable in the purification of the spent Mo-100/99-Tc-99m generator

摘要

The aim of this work was to develop a method for purification of the spent Mo-100/99-Tc-99m generator free from non-isotopic impurities like Nb, Y, Zr and recovery of Tc-99m using a Sephadex column and MEK solvent extraction technique, respectively. This study was done by performing simulation experiment with Mo-98(n,gamma)Mo-99 solution doped with the radiotracers of the above said non-isotopic impurities. There was respective adsorption of non-isotopic impurities of Nb, Zr and Y on Sephadex column (99.99%; n = 3) and extraction Tc-99m in MEK. The extraction efficiency of pure Tc-99m (radionuclidic purity: 99.99%, n = 3) from various Mo solution was 97% (n = 3).