Comparative Assessment of Nanostructured Metal Oxides: A Potential Step Forward to Develop Clinically Useful ⁹⁹Mo/^99mTc Generators using (n,γ)⁹⁹Mo

Abstract

While the use of nanostructured metal oxides such as nanotitania, nanozirconia, nanoalumina, and mesoporous alumina, as column matrices constitutes a successful paradigm in the development of chromatographic ⁹⁹Mo/^99mTc generators using (n,γ)⁹⁹Mo, a comparative assessment of their properties is essential not only to determine the merits and bottlenecks of each sorbent but also to evaluate their usefulness commensurate with the specific activity of (n,γ)⁹⁹Mo obtained from different sources. Characteristics which were compared included the sorption capacity, zeta potential, shelf-life of the generator, radioactive concentration and purity of ^99mTc for radiopharmaceutical applications, and recovery of decayed Mo from spent generators. Mesoporous alumina was identified as the most suitable sorbent for ensuring sustainable production of clinical grade ⁹⁹Mo/^99mTc generators using low specific activity ⁹⁹Mo.

Keywords:

• ⁹⁹Mo/^99mTc generator
• adsorption capacity
• column chromatography
• distribution coefficients (K_d)
• nanosorbents
• zeta potential