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).