Chromatographic separation of the theranostic radionuclide Ag from a proton irradiated thorium matrix.

Column chromatographic methods have been developed to separate no-carrier-added Ag from proton irradiated thorium targets and associated fission products as an ancillary process to an existing Ac separation design. Herein we report the separation of Ag both prior and subsequent to Ac recovery using CL resin, a solvent impregnated resin (SIR) that carries an organic solution of alkyl phosphine sulfides (RP = S) and alkyl phosphine oxides (RP = O). The recovery yield of Ag was 93 ± 9% with a radiochemical purity of 99.9% (prior) and 87 ± 9% with a radiochemical purity of 99.9% (subsequent to) Ac recovery. Both processes were successfully performed with insignificant impacts on Ac yields or quality. Measured equilibrium distribution coefficients for silver and ruthenium (a residual contaminant) on CL resin in hydrochloric and nitric acid media are reported, to the best of our knowledge, for the first time. Additionally, measured cross sections for the production of Ag and Ag for the Th(p,f)Ag reactions are reported within.