Rhenium-188 Generator Based on 6-Tungstocerate- 188W Precipitate as Column Matrix

Promising results are obtained for the preparation of 188W- 188Re generator based on conversion of radioactive tungsten into insoluble 6-tungstocerate gel matrix. The preparation of 6-tungstocerate from 188W of low specific activity, produced by thermal neutron irradiation of WO3, is described. Elution performance of the generated 188Re radioactivity from 6-tungstcerate-188W chromatographic columns is investigated as a function of kind and concentration and/or flow rate of the eluent, column size and wet and dry column effects. The elution yield of 5 g 6-WCe 188W gel generator were carried out. Elution yield in 6 ml saline solution at room temperature and a flow rate of 1 ml/min was found to be ∼79 % 188Re. The eluate has Radionuclidic purity ≥99.98 % 188Re and radiochemical purity ≥99.5 % in the 188ReO4- form. The chemical purity and pH values (4-5) were found to be suitable for medical applications of the 188Re eluate. (authors)