Purification of ⁹⁹Mo and ^99mTc from radioactive traces of Nb, Zr, and Y impurities: method applicable in the purification of the spent ^100/99Mo–^99mTc generator

The aim of this work was to develop a method for purification of the spent ^100/99Mo–^99mTc generator free from non-isotopic impurities like Nb, Y, Zr and recovery of ^99mTc using a Sephadex column and MEK solvent extraction technique, respectively. This study was done by performing simulation experiment with ⁹⁸Mo(n,γ)⁹⁹Mo solution doped with the radiotracers of the above said non-isotopic impurities. There was respective adsorption of non-isotopic impurities of Nb, Zr and Y on Sephadex column (99.99%; n = 3) and extraction ^99mTc in MEK. The extraction efficiency of pure ^99mTc (radionuclidic purity: 99.99%, n = 3) from various Mo solution was 97% (n = 3).