Molybdenum adsorption properties of alumina-embedded mesoporous silica for medical radioisotope production

In this work, we have prepared alumina-embedded mesoporous silica and investigated their molybdenum (Mo) adsorption properties. To synthesize such materials, mesoporous silica particles were firstly synthesized via a soft-templated approach followed by the introduction of aluminium butoxide into the mesopores, which was converted into alumina by heat treatment at high temperatures. The obtained alumina-embedded mesoporous silica samples (Alx-MPS) were characterized by low- and wide-angle X-ray diffractions, nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, and transmission electron microscopy. The effects of Al/Si ratios and calcination temperature on their Mo adsorption properties were also carefully investigated by using the batch method. The experimental results showed the following trend in Mo adsorption capacity in relation to the calcination temperature: 750 °C > 600 °C > 900 °C > 1050 °C and Al/Si molar ratio: Al0.1-MPS < Al0.3-MPS < Al0.5-MPS < Al0.6-MPS.