Production and separation of ^99mTc from cyclotron irradiated ^100/naturalMo targets. A new automated module for separation of ^99mTc from molybdenum targets

The direct production of ^99mTc through (p, 2n) reaction on natural molybdenum target and enriched ¹⁰⁰Mo target was investigated. Separation of technetium radionuclide from the irradiated ¹⁰⁰Mo target by a new method using Dowex-1 ion exchange resin as well as by the standard solvent extraction (methyl ethyl ketone) method was studied. An automated computer controlled module was developed based on the Dowex-1 separation methodology. The new chemical separation method recovered more than 80 % of ^99mTc from the irradiated target. The recovered pertechnetate had requisite radionuclidic, radiochemical and chemical purity for the preparation of ^99mTc-radiopharmaceuticals. (author)