Production and Radiochemical Separation of the ۹۰Nb Isotope via (p,xn) and (p,n) Reactions on Natural and Enriched Zirconium Targets

Niobium-۹۰ (۹۰Nb), a radioisotope of paramount importance in the field of nuclear medicine, has been effectively synthesized and separated from target materials through natZr(p,n)۹۰Nb and ۹۰Zr(p,n)۹۰Nb reactions. The attainment of high-purity Niobium -۹۰ necessitates the use of exceptionally pure zirconium-۹۰ isotopes, prompting the establishment of a meticulously structured three-stage production process. In the initial phase, the enrichment of ۹۰Zr stable is achieved through Electromagnetic Isotope Separation (EMIS). The resulting enriched zirconium oxide target material undergoes rigorous validation through X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis, confirming isotopic and chemical purities quantified at ۹۹.۲۲% and ۹۹.۸۵%, respectively. These purities are ascertained through advanced techniques, including gamma spectrometry and Particle-Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE). The subsequent stage involves the irradiation of target materials, prepared from natZrO۲ and ۹۰ZrO۲ powders, within the cyclotron accelerator. The third and final phase, post-irradiation, encompasses an elaborate chemical purification process, employing ion-exchange method. This process refines Niobium -۹۰ from the target materials. The assessment of Niobium-۹۰ activity purity, derived from both natural and enriched sources, confirms purities of ۹۸.۶۹% and ۱۰۰%, respectively, through meticulous examination using a High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector.

Keywords:

۹۰Nb , ۹۰Zr , EMIS , Chemical purification , Ion Exchange