Titanium molybdate gels as matrix of 99Mo/99mTc generators

This work deals with 99Mo/99mTc generators produced from titanium 99Mo-molybdate, first synthesized and then irradiated. This method avoids the use of special equipment for the synthesis of radioactive material and reduces the process time which usually is at least 7 h. The effect of four parameters of titanium molybdate gel synthesis on the performance of 99Mo/99mTc generators and some physico-chemical properties of these gels were evaluated: gel irradiation, titanium solution concentration, effect of the washing gels, and their drying temperature. The data reveal that: (1) the irradiation of the titanium molybdate gels did not influence significantly the generator performance, (2) the dehydration of titanium molybdate gels, the presence of occluded salt in the gel during drying, and the washing of the gels after drying improved the diffusion of the 99mTcO4- ions and thus the generator performance, and (3) the gels had a three-dimensional structure with cavities which allowed the diffusion of the 99mTcO4- ions inside the gel and were directly connected with the performance of the titanium 99Mo-molybdate 99Mo/99mTc generators. (author)