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The Russian team of chemists have developed an effective electrochemical method for the synthesis of technetium. This is a rare metal not found in nature but is contained in waste products of the nuclear industry. Currently used expensive and complex chemical methods of obtaining this radioactive element. A new electrochemical method for the synthesis of technetium may find application in medical diagnostics, clean up nuclear waste, as well as in the production of the precious metal ruthenium, necessary for the creation of gadgets and military devices.

Scientists from the Russian chemical-technological University. D. I. Mendeleev (RCTU) with participation of colleagues from the Institute of physical chemistry and electrochemistry. A. N. Frumkin (IPHE RAS) and other Russian institutes have developed an effective electrochemical method for the synthesis of the rare element technetium. This was reported in the Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry.

To produce a valuable element of the Russian scientists chose a cheap and affordable equipment of its electrolysis of radioactive solutions which contain salts of technetium. Previously it was thought that this method would not produce the desired result: the surface of the electrode film was formed of oxides of technetium, which blocked his further recovery to the metal.

Recall that the technetium is not found in nature, but up to 6% of its present in spent nuclear fuel. According to researchers, it has special usage, for example, in the synthesis of isotopically pure ruthenium, necessary for the production of military gadgets and instruments. By itself, this metal is needed as a nuclear isomer of technetium-99m for medical diagnostics. It is widely used as a contrast label for the study of the internal organs and identify tumors.

“For separation of technetium are now used in a chemical process with many labor-intensive operations, a large number of reagents and waste. We have developed a more affordable method electrochemical reduction of technetium is of good quality,” — said in an interview with RT, the main author of the study, Professor, University Vitaly Kuznetsov.

According to Vitaly Kuznetsov works on electrochemical production of technetium was deemed futile even 25-30 years ago, as the output is rough, easily crumbling radioactive sediment. However, in the new scientific work and related experiments Mendeleeva managed to establish the optimal composition of the electrolyte for efficient recovery of metallic technetium. Instead of pure water they used concentrated aqueous solutions of acetates. The result has been a constant level of acidity of the electrolyte and unwanted processes were minimized.

In addition to militarytion, electronic, and medical appointments method may find application in the technology of nuclear waste management. As noted by Vitaly Kuznetsov, today a large part of the waste products of the nuclear industry utilized mostly buried. Currently, the unique development of Russian chemists is at the stage of patenting.