Factors affecting the electrodeposition of226Ra

The electrodeposition of²²⁶Ra for -spectrometry was reinvestigated to improve reproducibility and yield. Electrodeposition is from 20 ml of 90% propan-2-ol10% 0.05M HNO₃ onto stainless steel disks, using 100 mA at 35 V for 20 minutes and a platinum anode. Half deposition time is 3–4 minutes. The following factors were found important: 1. Maintaining the same anode position. 2. Rotation of cathode. 3. Exclusion of sulphate. 4. Avoiding heating the HNO₃/propan-2-ol plating solution. 5. Exclusion of solubilised resin resulting from passage through ion-exchange columns. 6. Maintaining other impurities at less than 10 g. If these precautions are followed yields are greater than 90%.