Study of activation cross sections of double neutron capture reaction on Ir for the reactor production route of radiotherapeutic Pt.

The radiotherapeutic Pt is among the most effective Auger electron emitters of the currently studied radionuclides that have a potential theranostic application in nuclear medicine. Production of Pt through double neuron capture of enriched Ir followed by β-decay to the radioisotope of interest carried out at the research reactor IBR-2 is described. Because of the high radiation background, radiochemical purification procedure of Pt from bulk of iridium was needed to be developed and is detailed here as well.