Separation of187,188Pt and187,188Ir produced in11B4+irradiated tantalum target

Abstract

Heavy ion irradiation on tantalum metal target with 57 MeV11B4+leads to the production of no-carrier-added radioisotopes of platinum,187,188Pt and iridium,187,188Ir in the matrix, which have been effectively separated from the bulk target and from each other with suitable anion exchangers employing liquid-liquid extraction (LLX). Also188,189Pt and188,189Ir radionuclides have been produced, from their short-lived precursors188,189Au, in12C6+irradiated tantalum matrix. Gamma-spectroscopy has been utilised to determine the production, extent of separation and purity of the radiotracers at different stages of the experiment.