Cyclotron Production of 99mTc using 100Mo2C targets

An investigative study of the 100Mo (p,2n)99mTc reaction on a medical cyclotron using 100Mo2C is reported. This is the first report of this compound being used as a target for this reaction. 100Mo2C, a refractory carbide with high thermal conductivity, properties which underscore its use on a cyclotron, was synthesized using 100MoO3. Its ease of oxidation back to 100MoO3 under air at elevated temperatures facilitates the use of thermo-chromatography, a high temperature gas phase separation technique for the separation and isolation of 99mTc. Activity yields for 99mTc averaged 84% of the calculated theoretical yields. Additionally, the percent recovery of MoO3, the precursor for Mo2C, was consistently high at 85% ensuring a good life cycle for this target material. The produced 99mTc was radio-chemically pure and easily labeled MDP for imaging purposes.