Comparison of the sorption behavior of 99Mo by Ti-, Si-, Ti-Si-xerogels and commercial sorbents.

Single and binary titanium and silicon xerogels were prepared to evaluate and compare their sorption performance with commercial sorbents (Al2O3 and TiO2) used for the 99Mo/99mTc separation, under neutral pH and room temperature conditions. Molybdenum sorption capacities were determined by batch equilibrium systems using Mo(VI) solutions labelled with 99Mo radiotracer. Ti-xerogel showed the highest 99Mo distribution coefficient and sorption capacity, while Si-xerogel exerted null affinity. Binary xerogels and reference sorbents showed similar capacities. Additionally, Ti-xerogel, after a heating process, drastically decreased its sorption capacity. Finally, a molybdenum sorption mechanism was studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]