Technetiun-99 m (^99mTc) is a widely used and versatile radioisotope obtained from the beta decay of molybdenum (⁹⁹Mo). ⁹⁹Mo can be produced by thermal fission or neutron activation process. Production of ⁹⁹Mo via the neutron capture method draws attention as an alternative to fission derived ⁹⁹Mo due to non-proliferation issues. The main concern with neutron capture-produced ⁹⁹Mo (n, γ) over the common fission-produced involves both lower Curie yield and lower specific activity. In this work, different adsorbents using low specific activity ⁹⁹Mo for ^99mTc generator have been discussed.

Diffusion of boron, lithium, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen into type IIa natural diamond was studied. The diffusion was performed in two steps. First, diffusion of Li and oxygen was performed in nitrogen atmosphere at 860 °C for one hour. The sample was then placed in a hot filament chemical vapor deposition (CVD) growth reactor and diffusion was performed for two hours in hydrogen atmosphere from a boron solid source placed on the surface of the sample. The condition of diffusion were those used routinely during CVD growth. After diffusion, the concentration of Li was of the order of 2×10¹⁶ cm⁻³ at the depth of 0.5 micrometer, and oxygen, nitrogen, and boron were found to be in the range (1–4)×10²⁰ cm⁻³ at the same depth. The diffusion of hydrogen under conditions specific to CVD growth has also been studied for the first time and was found to be quite strong.