Pr(H3BNMe2BH3)3 and Pr(thd)3 as Volatile Carriers for Actinium-225. Deposition of Actinium-Doped Praseodymium Boride Thin Films for Potential Use in Brachytherapy

Abstract

Here we show that the praseodymium N,N-dimethylaminodiboranate complex Pr(H3BNMe2BH3)3 and the 2,2,6,6-tetramethylheptane-3,5-dionate complex Pr(thd)3 can serve as volatile carriers for 225Ac. The actinium coordination complexes Ac(H3BNMe2BH3)3 and Ac(thd)3 are the likely species subliming with the carrier material. A sample of 225Ac-doped Pr(H3BNMe2BH3)3 was used to deposit amorphous 225Ac-doped praseodymium boride films on glass and Si(100) at 300 °C. The α emission spectra of the refractory films are well-resolved, suggesting that they could be used as radioactive implants for brachytherapy and related treatments.