Radiometals from liquid targets: 94mTc production using a standard water target on a 13 MeV cyclotron

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Chemistry
• Radiopharmaceutical Production

Background:

• Technetium-94m (94mTc) is a radioisotope with potential applications in nuclear medicine.
• Efficient production methods for 94mTc are crucial for its clinical use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To optimize the production of 94mTc via the (94)Mo(p,n)(94m)Tc reaction.
• To evaluate yields and isolation efficiency using high-concentration ammonium heptamolybdate targets.

Main Methods:

• Irradiation of ammonium heptamolybdate tetrahydrate solutions (0.325-0.995 g/ml) with 13 MeV proton beams.
• Production of 94mTc through the (94)Mo(p,n)(94m)Tc nuclear reaction.
• Isolation of 94mTc pertechnetate using solid-phase extraction.

Main Results:

• Measured yields of 110±20 MBq for the highest concentrated solution (5 μA, 60 min).
• Achieved saturation yields up to 40±6 MBq/μA.
• Isolated 94mTc pertechnetate with 70.9±0.7% efficiency.

Conclusions:

• High-concentration ammonium heptamolybdate targets are effective for 94mTc production.
• The (94)Mo(p,n)(94m)Tc reaction provides a viable route for producing 94mTc.
• Efficient isolation methods are available for radiopharmaceutical applications.