Influence of GA Siwabessy Reactor Irradiation Period on the Molybdenum-99 (99Mo) Production by Neutron Activation of Natural Molybdenum to Produce Technetium-99m (99mTc)

Abstract

Production of 99Mo by neutron activation of natural Mo in multipurpose reactor GA Siwabessy is an alternative solution to overcome the 99Mo shortage, particularly in Indonesia. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of the irradiation period of the reactor on the quality of the produced 99Mo and 99mTc. A natural molybdenum was packed in quartz ampule and aluminium capsule, irradiated in the research reactor for around 100 hours. The 99Mo - 99mTc separation was conducted in Center for Radioisotope and Radiopharmaceutical Technology using zirconium-based material (ZBM). The observed parameters are 99Mo activity, 99mTc yield percentage, adsorption capacity ZBM and 99mTc quality. Both the obtained 99Mo activity and 99mTc yield percentage were influenced by the irradiation period. On the other hand, neither the adsorption capacity of ZBM nor quality parameters of 99mTc were influenced by the irradiation period.