Recovery of Ra-223 from natural thorium irradiated by protons

Abstract Irradiation of natural thorium with medium-energy protons is considered to be a prospective approach to large-scale production of 225 Ac and 223 Ra. In addition to the earlier-developed method of 225 Ac isolation, the present work focuses on the simultaneous recovery of. 223 Ra from the same thorium target. Radiochemical procedure is based on liquid-liquid extraction, cation exchange and extraction chromatography. The procedure provides separation of radium from spallation and fission products generated in the thorium target. High chemical yield (85– 90%) and radionuclide purity of 223 Ra (> 99.8% except 224 Raand 225 Ra isotopes) have been achieved.