Developing a Chromatographic 99mTc Generator Based on Mesoporous Alumina for Industrial Radiotracer Applications: A Potential New Generation Sorbent for Using Low-Specific-Activity 99Mo

Abstract

The commercial low-pressure column chromatographic 99Mo/99mTc generator represents a reliable source of onsite, ready-to-use 99mTc for industrial applications. These generators use fission-produced 99Mo of high specific activity, posing serious production challenges and raising proliferation concerns. Therefore, many concepts are aimed at using low-specific-activity (LSA) 99Mo. Nonetheless, the main roadblock is the low sorption capacity of the used alumina (Al2O3). This study investigates the feasibility of using commercial alumina incorporated with LSA 99Mo to develop a useful 99Mo/99mTc generator for industrial radiotracer applications. First, the adsorption profiles of some commercial alumina sorbents for LSA 99Mo were tested under different experimental conditions. Then, the potential materials to develop a 99Mo/99mTc generator were selected and evaluated regarding elution yield of 99mTc and purity. Among the sorbents investigated in this study, mesoporous alumina (SA-517747) presented a unique sorption-elution profile. It demonstrated a high equilibrium and dynamic sorption capacity of 148 ± 8 and 108 ± 6 mg Mo/g. Furthermore, 99mTc was eluted with high yield and adequate chemical, radiochemical, and radionuclidic purity. Therefore, this approach provides an efficient and cost-effective way to supply onsite 99mTc for radiotracer applications independent of fission-produced 99Mo technology.