Radiochemical determination of technetium-99

• Published in: Journal of radioanalytical and nuclear chemistry Vol. 177; no. 1; pp. 91 - 99
• Main Authors: NEVISSI, A. E, SILVERSTON, M, STREBIN, R. S, KAYE, J. H
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer 1994
• Subjects: Analytical chemistry; Chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; Radiochemical methods; Radiochemical method; Ion exchange resin; Chemical analysis
• ISSN: 0236-5731; 1588-2780
• DOI: 10.1007/BF02132413

The radiochemistry of technetium-99 is reviewed and the various measurement techniques compared. A simple method is described for measuring this radionuclide in water samples using ion exchange resins for chemical separation and liquid scintillation or beta counting for detection. The chemical yield was measured using technetium-99m and pure technetium-95m as tracers. Spectra calibrations of a liquid scintillation counter using technetium-95m as a chemical yield tracer of technetium-99 are discussed. Technetium was absorbed from up to 10 litres of water onto a few grams of anion exchange resin with high efficiency. The mean chemical yield for 10 spiked samples was 69 plus or minus 8 per cent. Technetium elution from BioRad resin was optimized using hot nitric acid (8 M, 80C). This method of elution was particularly convenient if beta counting was used as an alternative to liquid scintillation counting.