Studies on purification of 89Sr from irradiated yttria target by multi-column extraction chromatography using DtBuCH18-C-6/XAD-7 resin
Abstract89Sr is being produced using yttria target via the nuclear reaction89Y(n,p)89Sr in Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR), Kalpakkam. The isotope89Sr is a pure beta emitter with a half-life of 50.53 days which is useful mainly for bone pain palliation in patients with bone metastases. The existing method for processing the irradiated yttria target to obtain the pure89Sr source involves separation of the bulk yttrium target by solvent extraction using TBP-HNO3followed by purification of89Sr source by cation exchange chromatography technique using Dowex resin. The study described here involves the selective extraction and purification of89Sr by multi-column extraction chromatography technique using the Sr-specific crown ether, DtBuCH18C6 (CE) coated onto an XAD-7 resin matrix for superior separation and increased yield compared to single column technique. The89Sr source thus purified from the irradiated yttria target is free from other radionuclidic impurities produced during the target irradiation i.e.88Y,65Zn,139,141Ce,154Eu and160Tb.