Determination of technetium-99 from complex matrix

This paper reports an approach that can be used for efficient separation and determination of 99 Tc (as pertechnetate) after contamination of the environment by nuclear materials. The samples were decomposed by fusion in a mixture of potassium hydroxide and potassium nitrate. After fusion, technetium remains as the pertechnetate anion (TcO 4 − ). The technetium was isolated from the sample by technique combining solvent extraction, anion exchange, then, again, solvent extraction. After separation, 99 Tc was measured by isotope-dilution mass spectrometry with 97 Tc as spike. This method yielded nanogram detection limits for 99 Tc.