Radiochemical separation of reactor produced Sc-47 from natural calcium target using Poly(acrylamide-acrylic acid)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes composite

Abstract

Poly (acrylamide-acrylic Acid)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes composite [P(AAm-AA)/MWCNTs] was prepared by gamma radiation to initiate the copolymerization of AAm and AA onto MWCNTs surface. The structural characteristics were confirmed by FT-IR, SEM, XRD, TGA and DTA. The particle size distribution was determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS). [P(AAm-AA)/MWCNTs] was used to study the adsorption efficiency of 47Sc from natural calcium by batch technique at different concentrations of HCl and/or HNO3 acid solutions. No-carrier-added 47Sc (III) was separated from 47Ca(II) on [P(AAm-AA)/MWCNTs] column matrix. The elution efficiency of about 80 ± 1.5% was attained for 47Sc(III) using 1M HNO3. Three quality control tests, radionuclidic, radiochemical and chemical purities were investigated to emphasis that 47Sc secure for use in nuclear medicine.