Study of activation cross sections of double neutron capture reaction on Ir for the reactor production route of radiotherapeutic Pt.

The radiotherapeutic Pt is among the most effective Auger electron emitters of the currently studied radionuclides that have a potential theranostic application in nuclear medicine. Production of Pt through double neuron capture of enriched Ir followed by β-decay to the radioisotope of interest carried out at the research reactor IBR-2 is described. Because of the high radiation background, radiochemical purification procedure of Pt from bulk of iridium was needed to be developed and is detailed here as well. For the first time, cross section and resonance integral for the reaction Ir(n,γ)Ir were determined. Resonance neutrons contribution was established to exceed that of thermal neutrons, and resonance integral for the reaction Ir(n,γ)Ir is calculated to be 2900 b. Specific activity of Pt was estimated to reach a value of 38.7 GBq/(g Pt) at IBR-2 by the end of bombardment (EOB).