Evaluation of neutron activation analysis for the measurement of isotopic abundances in molybdenum-98 enriched molybdenum
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Date
1987-03
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Publisher
Australian Atomic Energy Commission
Abstract
Molybdenum enriched to approximately 50 per cent 98Mo is required for the development of a portable 99mTc generator based on the zirconium molybdate gel system developed by the AAEC. It has been proposed that existing AAEC facilities be used to enrich molybdenum and neutron activation analysis has been evaluated as a means of monitoring the enrichment process. Simulated enriched targets of MoO3 with 98Mo abundances ranging from 30 to 90 per cent were prepared by diluting 96.87 per cent enriched 98MoO3 with the natural trioxide. These targets were each irradiated simultaneously with a reference natural MoO3 target in a thermal neutron flux of 7.5 x 10 12 neutrons cm -2s -1 where the reactions 92 Mo(n,γ) 93Mo, 98Mo(n,γ) 99Mo and 100 Mo(n,γ) 101Mo- 101Tc occur. The isotopic abundances 98Mo and 100Mo were determined with an accuracy +- 2 percent by comparing the yields of 99Mo- 99mTc and 101Mo- 101Tc respectively in the enriched and natural targets. The activation yield of 93Mo was too low for the determination of the 92Mo abundances.
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Keywords
Molybdenum 98, Neutron activation analysis, Isotope ratio, Gamma radiation, Molybdenum 98
Citation
Hetherington, E. L. R. (1987). Evaluation of neutron activation analysis for the measurement of isotopic abundances in molybdenum-98 enriched molybdenum. (AAEC/E644). Lucas Heights, NSW: Australian Atomic Energy Commission.