A facile and novel process for the preparation of 147Pm source

Abstract

This paper describes a novel method for the preparation of 147Pm sources for beta backscatter coating thickness gauge. The process relied on the creation of a porous reactive surface in a precisely selected region of a long cylindrical aluminum substrate by anodization at a current density of 15 mA/cm2 at 15 °C in 3 M H2SO4 for 2 h. The anodized region was impregnated with 37 MBq (1 mCi) of 147Pm activity by keeping in contact with the radioactive solution at pH 6.0 for 24 h. The active region was subsequently coated with a thin layer of polymer to prevent the dispersion of activity in use. The sources were submitted to quality control tests such as non-leachability, uniform distribution of activity and surface contamination.