14 MeV Neutrons for 99Mo/99mTc Production: Experiments, Simulations and Perspectives

Molecules. 2018 Jul 27;23(8):1872. doi: 10.3390/molecules23081872.

Abstract

Background: the gamma-emitting radionuclide Technetium-99m (99mTc) is still the workhorse of Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) as it is used worldwide for the diagnosis of a variety of phatological conditions. 99mTc is obtained from 99Mo/99mTc generators as pertechnetate ion, which is the ubiquitous starting material for the preparation of 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals. 99Mo in such generators is currently produced in nuclear fission reactors as a by-product of 235U fission. Here we investigated an alternative route for the production of 99Mo by irradiating a natural metallic molybdenum powder using a 14-MeV accelerator-driven neutron source.

Methods: after irradiation, an efficient isolation and purification of the final 99mTc-pertechnetate was carried out by means of solvent extraction. Monte Carlo simulations allowed reliable predictions of 99Mo production rates for a newly designed 14-MeV neutron source (New Sorgentina Fusion Source).

Results: in traceable metrological conditions, a level of radionuclidic purity consistent with accepted pharmaceutical quality standards, was achieved.

Conclusions: we showed that this source, featuring a nominal neutron emission rate of about 1015 s-1, may potentially supply an appreciable fraction of the current 99Mo global demand. This study highlights that a robust and viable solution, alternative to nuclear fission reactors, can be accomplished to secure the long-term supply of 99Mo.

Keywords: Molibdenum-99; Technetium-99m; neutron generator.

MeSH terms

  • Cyclotrons / instrumentation
  • Molybdenum / chemistry*
  • Nuclear Fission
  • Radioisotopes / chemistry*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m
  • Technetium / chemistry*
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

Substances

  • Radioisotopes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Molybdenum-99
  • Technetium
  • Molybdenum
  • Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m