Synthesis of alumina 99Mo-molybdate(VI) gel matrices and evaluation of 99mTc elution performance

Abstract

Abstract Synthesis of a novel alumina 99Mo-molybdate(VI) gel matrix of high Mo(VI) content and reproducible separation indices of the generated 99mTc radionuclde are described and briefly discussed. Similar mixture solutes of aluminate and low specific activity 99Mo-molybdate(VI) anions in concentrated NaOH are prepared. Then, the solutes are acidified with concentrated HCl, HNO3 and/or H2SO4 at pH 9.5–4.5. Physico-chemical investigations indicate that molybdate(VI) anions are strongly adsorbed onto in situ-precipitated pseudoboehmite from acidic solutions than from basic solutions. The maximum adsorption % of 99Mo (167 mg Mo/g matrix dried at 50 ℃) is achieved from the nitrate solution at pH 5.5. Separation of 99mTc from the corresponding gel matrix with physiological saline solution exhibits high elution yield with a narrow elution profile and radionuclidic, radiochemical and chemical purity indices comparable with 99mTc eluates from 99Mo/99mTc generators prepared by loading alumina with fission 99Mo.