Feasibility of Mo-99 production by proton-induced fission of Th-232

作者：Abbas Kamel^*; Holzwarth Uwe; Simonelli Federica; Kozempel Jan; Cydzik Izabela; Bulgheroni Antonio; Cotogno Giulio; Apostolidis Christos; Bruchertseifer Frank; Morgenstern Alfred

来源：Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms , 2012, 278: 20-25.

DOI：10.1016/j.nimb.2012.01.043

• Mo-99
• (TC)-T-99m
• Th-232
• Excitation function
• Stacked-foil technique
• Cyclotron

The current global crisis in supply of the medical isotope generator Mo-99/Tc-99m has triggered much research into alternative non-reactor based production methods for Mo-99 including innovative radionuclide production techniques using ion accelerators. A novel method is presented here that has thus far not been considered: Th-232 is used as target material to produce carrier-free Mo-99 for Mo-99/Tc-99m generators by proton-induced fission (Th-232 (p,f) Mo-99). The thick target yields of Mo-99 are estimated as 3.6 MBq/mu A.h and 21 MBq/mu A.h for proton energies of 22 MeV and 40 MeV, respectively, energies that are available from many cyclotrons. With respect to Mo-99 reactor based methods using uranium targets, the presented concept using Th-232 does not pose proliferation concerns, transport of highly radioactive target materials can be reduced and unused cyclotron capacities could be exploited. Radiochemical target processing could be based on existing technologies of extraction of Mo-99 from reactor irradiated U-235. The presented method could be used for co-production of other radioisotopes of medical interest such as I-131.

• 出版日期2012-5-1