Characterization of Zirconium-Based Material (ZBM) Synthesized by Gradual Drying for Molybdenum-99 (⁹⁹Mo) Adsorbent

Abstract

Technetium-99m (99mTc), the daughter radionuclide of Molybdenum-99 (99Mo), is the most widely used radionuclide in the world and predicted to face a shortage in the future. A Zirconium-based material(ZBM) is an alternative solution to overcome this problem due to its high adsorption capacity toward 99Mo, and ability to release 99mTc. The performance of the ZBM is influenced by its material properties, especially the surface area and pore diameter. This study aims to characterize and evaluate the ZBM developed by new synthesis method. The ZBM was synthesized using zirconium(IV) chloride, 2-propanol, water and tetrahydrofuran. The drying process after synthesis was conducted by gradual heating. The resulting material was analysed by XRD, SEM, and BET method. The 99Mo adsorption and 99mTc releasing capacity was also evaluated. The analysis result shows that the ZBM is an amorphous material, while its surface area, pore volume, and pore diameter was 45.8 m2/g, 0.19 cm3/g, and 16.29 nm, respectively. The 99Mo adsorption, and 99mTc releasing capacity of the ZBM was 181.58 mg Mo/g ZBM, and 91.81%, respectively.