Molybdenum Mo-99

Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) is a radioactive isotope of molybdenum. It is a key component in the production of technetium-99m (Tc-99m), a widely used medical radioisotope for diagnostic imaging. Mo-99 is produced by bombarding uranium-235 with neutrons in a nuclear reactor. The resulting fission products include Mo-99, which is then extracted and purified. Mo-99 decays by beta emission, with a half-life of 66 hours, into Tc-99m. Tc-99m is then used to create radiopharmaceuticals for a wide range of medical imaging applications, such as bone scans, heart scans, and lung scans. The importance of Mo-99 stems from its role in producing Tc-99m, which is essential for modern medical diagnostics. Its study is driven by the need to ensure a reliable and sustainable supply of Tc-99m for medical use. Research focuses on improving the production and separation of Mo-99, developing alternative methods for producing Tc-99m, and exploring new applications for Mo-99 itself. '