Determination of the total retention capacity of 99Mo in anionic extracting agent

Abstract

The Nuclear Metrology Laboratory (LMN) at IPEN-CNEN/SP is developing a research project aimed at studying analytical techniques for determining radioactive impurities emitting alpha and beta particles. This project started with the determination of impurities present in ^99Mo, which is used to obtain the radiopharmaceutical ^99mTc by means of radiochemical separation in the ^99Mo/^99mTc generator. The study of the anionic extracting agent Strata X-A, widely used in quality analysis, was carried out by means of a breakthrough curve in order to validate its total exchange capacity for Mo. The breaking point was determined at (2.75 +/- 0.14) mL, showing that just one 0.5 g Strata X-A cartridge is sufficient to retain 1.0 mL of a (Na2MoO4 + ^99Mo) solution at a concentration of 2.42 g L^-1.