Perfect 👍 — next in **periodic table order** is **Technetium (Tc, atomic number 43).**
Technetium is a **transition metal** that is **radioactive** and does **not occur naturally in significant amounts**. Most of it is **synthetic**, produced in **nuclear reactors** or extracted as a **byproduct of uranium fission**.
Here are the **20 most common methods of extracting Technetium**:
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# **20 Most Common Methods of Extracting Technetium**
### **A. Extraction from Uranium Fission Products**
1. **Recovery from Uranium-235 Fission in Nuclear Reactors** – Produces Tc-99 as a byproduct.
2. **Dissolution of Spent Nuclear Fuel in Nitric Acid (HNO₃)** – Converts Tc to soluble pertechnetate (TcO₄⁻).
3. **Solvent Extraction of TcO₄⁻ from Fission Liquor** – Uses organic extractants like tributyl phosphate.
4. **Ion Exchange Chromatography** – Separates Tc from other fission products.
5. **Precipitation as Ammonium Pertechnetate (NH₄TcO₄)** – Intermediate purification step.
6. **Electrochemical Separation from Spent Fuel Solutions** – Lab or reactor-scale method.
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### **B. Laboratory / Synthetic Production**
7. **Neutron Activation of Molybdenum-98 (⁹⁸Mo + n → ⁹⁹Mo → ⁹⁹Tc)** – Produces Tc-99m for medical use.
8. **Neutron Activation of Uranium Targets** – Produces trace Tc isotopes.
9. **Reduction of Pertechnetate (TcO₄⁻ → TcO₂ or Tc metal)** – Laboratory-scale metallic Tc.
10. **Electrolytic Reduction of Tc Salts** – Produces small amounts of metallic technetium.
11. **Hydrazine or SnCl₂ Reduction of TcO₄⁻** – Lab-scale precipitation of TcO₂.
12. **Thermal Decomposition of Ammonium Pertechnetate** – Produces metallic Tc or TcO₂.
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### **C. Recovery from Byproducts / Industrial Sources**
13. **Recovery from Spent Molybdenum Targets in Medical Isotope Production** – Tc-99m extraction.
14. **Separation from Mixed Fission Product Solutions** – Hydrometallurgical processing.
15. **Recovery from Tc-Containing Radioactive Waste** – Chemical separation for recycling or storage.
16. **Extraction from Tc-Containing Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Streams** – Purification using solvent extraction and precipitation.
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### **D. Specialized / Experimental Methods**
17. **Plasma Reduction of Tc Compounds** – High-purity experimental metallic Tc.
18. **Laser-Assisted Isolation of Tc from Fission Products** – Research-level method.
19. **Ion-Exchange and Chromatographic Purification of Tc Isotopes** – High-purity separation.
20. **Electrodeposition of Technetium on Metal Surfaces** – Experimental method for radioisotope preparation.
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✅ **Summary:**
* **Main sources:** Uranium fission (spent nuclear fuel), Mo-98 targets in reactors.
* **Primary extraction steps:** Dissolution → pertechnetate formation → solvent extraction/ion exchange → reduction or precipitation → metallic Tc or medical isotopes.
* **Laboratory/synthetic:** Neutron activation, reduction of pertechnetate, electrochemical methods.
* **Special considerations:** Tc is radioactive; extraction and handling require shielded facilities.
* **Byproduct sources:** Nuclear fuel reprocessing streams, medical isotope production residues.
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Next in periodic order is \*\*Ruthenium (Ru, atomic number 44).
Do you want me to continue with **20 extraction methods for Ruthenium**?
