Surface modification of acid-functionalized mesoporous gamma-alumina for non-fission 99Mo/99mTc generator.

Mesoporous gamma-alumina (MGA) was synthesized for neutron-activated 99Mo adsorbent. Acid functionalization of the MGA was carried out to enhance the Mo adsorption capacity and the 99Mo breakthrough profile. The acid-treated MGA has a more positive particle charge, rougher surface, smaller particle and pore size, larger surface area, and wider pore distance. The acid-treated MGA has a Mo adsorption capacity of 82.8 ± 6.3 mg Mo/g and resulted in 99mTc eluate with the 99Mo breakthrough at the acceptable level.