A non-aqueous reduction process for purifying 153Gd produced in natural europium targets

Amanda M. Johnsen, Chuck Z. Soderquist, Bruce K. McNamara, Darrell R. Fisher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Gadolinium-153 is a low-energy gamma-emitter used in nuclear medicine imaging quality assurance. Produced in nuclear reactors using natural Eu2O3 targets, 153Gd is radiochemically separated from europium isotopes by europium reduction. However, conventional aqueous europium reduction produces hydrogen gas, a flammability hazard in radiological hot cells. We altered the traditional reduction method, using methanol as the process solvent to nearly eliminate hydrogen gas production. This new, non-aqueous reduction process demonstrates greater than 98% europium removal and gadolinium yields of 90%.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)158-165
Number of pages8
JournalApplied Radiation and Isotopes
Volume82
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2013

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Radiation

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