Metal technetium target and target chemistry for the production of 97Ru via the 99Tc(p,3n) 97Ru reaction

Radionuclidic pure 97Ru (image) was produced by a (p,3n) reaction on 99Tc, using the internal radiation facility of the JINR phasotron. The conditions of the irradiation, target construction, thick-target yield and radiochemical separation of 97Ru from Tc target material were searched. The 97Ru yield really obtained during 1 h irradiation of Tcmet (2.8–3.0 g/cm2; 1.0–1.2 g) with a proton beam of energy 50 MeV and intensity 8 μA was equal to 45–50 mCi/h. The radiochemical separation of ultramicroamounts of ruthenium and macroamounts of technetium is based on RuO4 distillation from HNO3 or H2SO4 solutions at 90°C with air flow. The chemical yield of 97Ru is not less than 95%, the decontamination factor is more 104, the duration of chemical operation is 6–7 h.