Fission product 99 mTc generator

Abstract

A 99 m Tc generator system has been developed with much improved characteristics. The generator system takes advantage of the low, but usable, loading capacity (2 mg-Mo/g alumina at pH of 5–6) of the acid form of alumina and the high specific activity (∼10 5 Ci/g Mo) of 99Mo produced by the fission of 235U. No pre- or post-loading treatment of the alumina is needed when the pH of the loading 99Mo solution is between 5 and 6. Greater than 95% 99 m Tc yields were obtained when using 4 ml of a saline eluant with 99Mo loadings of 1 mCi to 20 Ci; high radiation levels do not reduce the 99 m Tc yield. The major advantages of a 99 m Tc generator made from fission product 99Mo as compared to one made by 98Mo(n, γ) 99Mo are ease of production, consistently higher 99 m Tc yields, lower 99Mo breakthrough, higher activity generator and higher 99 m Tc concentration.