Preparation and quality evaluation of a simulating 90Sr ceramic source

In the present research, a novel approach to prepare 90Sr ceramic source is proposed. The radioactive 90Sr(NO3)2 reacts with its stable decay daughter ZrO2 during sintering to form 90SrZrO3. This method aims to offer a reliable 90Sr source with chemical and thermal stability, meanwhile, the preparation procedure itself is simple and radiologically safe. The effects of Y3+ addition on the microstructure, density and phase stability of simulating ceramic sources are evaluated. With the existence of more Y3+ addition, grain size decreases and becomes more uniform, sample density increases, and the excessive ZrO2 in the source is stabilized in its tetragonal phase. Quality evaluation reveals that the strontium is uniformly distributed on the substrate and most strontium remains stable during immersion test, vibration test and drop test; meanwhile, the Y3+ doped simulating ceramic source layer remains integral during irradiation. Overall, this research proposes a novel and promising approach to prepare 90Sr source.