Feasibility of 99Mo production by proton-induced fission of 232Th

The current global crisis in supply of the medical isotope generator 99Mo/99mTc has triggered much research into alternative non-reactor based production methods for 99Mo including innovative radionuclide production techniques using ion accelerators. A novel method is presented here that has thus far not been considered: 232Th is used as target material to produce carrier-free 99Mo for 99Mo/99mTc generators by proton-induced fission (232Th (p, f) 99Mo). The thick target yields of 99Mo are estimated as 3.6 MBq/μA·h and 21 MBq/μA·h for proton energies of 22 MeV and 40 MeV, respectively, energies that are available from many cyclotrons. With respect to 99Mo reactor based methods using uranium targets, the presented concept using 232Th does not pose proliferation concerns, transport of highly radioactive target materials can be reduced and unused cyclotron capacities could be exploited. Radiochemical target processing could be based on existing technologies of extraction of 99Mo from reactor irradiated 235U. The presented method could be used for co-production of other radioisotopes of medical interest such as 131I.