Development of Porous MoO(2) Pellet Target for (99)Mo/(99m)Tc Generator

Technetium-99m((99m)Tc) is used worldwide in 85% of nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging procedures. We developed porous MoO(2) pellets as an alternative to reactor-based targets in an (n,γ) reaction for producing Technetium-99m ((99m)Tc) in nuclear medicine. The pellets, formed through a manufacturing process involving mixing, sintering, eluting, and drying, offer advantages such as selective dissolution and improved yield. This research offers a potential solution for stable (99m)Tc production, focusing on porous molybdenum dioxide (MoO(2)) as a target material due to its insolubility in water. Using potassium molybdate (K(2)MoO(4)) as a pore former, we developed porous MoO(2) pellets that facilitate efficient technetium extraction and target recycling. This approach offers control over pore formation and shows promise in addressing supply challenges and enhancing (99m)Tc production.