Radiation resistant metal–organic frameworks for the production of high specific activity 51Cr by the Szilard-Chalmers effect

Journal article (2025)

Authors

C. Ma Zhengzhou University, RST/Applied Radiation & Isotopes - AS
R. Wang RST/Applied Radiation & Isotopes - AS
Hitos Galán CIEMAT
A.G. Denkova RST/Applied Radiation & Isotopes - AS
Pablo Serra Crespo European Commission Joint Research Centre
Research Group
RST/Applied Radiation & Isotopes (AS) (TU Delft)
Metal-Organic Frameworks 51Cr Gamma Rays Radiation Stability Szilard-Chalmers Effect
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Published Date

2025

Language

English

Faculty

Applied Sciences

Department

RST/Radiation, Science and Technology

Research Group

RST/Applied Radiation & Isotopes

Abstract

Chromium-51 (51Cr) is an attractive radionuclide for diagnosis, which is usually applied for red cells and platelet radiolabeling. However, commercially available 51Cr produced in nuclear reactors via neutron activation requires long irradiation times and complex separation methods. In this work, five metal–organic frameworks (MIL-100 (Cr), MIL-100 (Fe), MIL-100 (Al), MIL-101 (Cr) and aluminium fumarate MOF (FuAl)) were synthesized and the effect of gamma ray irradiation with a high dose rate and a maximum dose of 6 MGy was investigated. The two chromium-based MOFs, MIL-100 (Cr) and MIL-101 (Cr), were selected as radiation targets to produce high specific activity 51Cr by the Szilard-Chalmers effect. A solid–liquid extraction was applied to extract the produced 51Cr under different conditions, including different extractants, extraction times and pH. The most promising results were achieved when using irradiated MIL-101 (Cr) and EDTA as extracting agent, reaching an enrichment factor of 1132 ± 50.