Separation of no-carrier-added 203Pb, a surrogate radioisotope, from proton irradiated natTl2CO3 target using calcium alginate hydrogel beads

Abstract

Abstract 203Pb is a promising radioisotope in the field of medical science as an imaging surrogate of 212Pb. In the present investigation 203Pb was produced by proton irradiation of natural Tl2CO3 target and was separated from the bulk Tl target using calcium alginate (CA) hydrogel beads with a high separation factor (3.8×104 at 10−3 M HNO3). During the separation process 203Pb was encapsulated in CA beads and desorption of the radioisotope could only be achieved in 1M HNO3. Possibility of Tl uptake was also checked in Fe doped CA (Fe-CA) beads after oxidation of Tl(I) to Tl(III) by sodium bismuthate. No significant uptake of Tl(III) was noticed in the Fe-CA beads. The matrix is therefore suitable for isolation of 203Pb from the target as well as its storage in the bead for therapeutic as well as diagnostic purpose.