Column Chromatography Using Nano-Sorbent: A Viable Approach Towards Post-Processing Concentration of125I for Medical Applications

Successful use of ion-exchange chromatographic technique using nano-zirconia (t-ZrO2), to concentrate 125I solution obtained from wet chemical distillation method to levels required for preparation of 125I brachytherapy sources, is reported. A careful scrutiny of the sorption parameters of t-ZrO2 was carried out and implemented to arrive at conditions resulting in optimum retention of 125I from its solution of low radioactive concentration on a tiny column containing t-ZrO2, followed by its elution in a small volume of eluent. The developed procedure was validated using samples containing varying amounts of 125I activity in the feed and the concentration factors (CF) of 125I > 5 could be obtained. The overall recovery of 125I was >90% with appropriate radiochemical purity. The compatibility of the product in the preparation of 125I brachytherapy sources was found to be satisfactory.