Synthesis of Submicron Particles of the Boron-10 Isotope by Mechanical Milling in Planetary Ball Mills

One promising application of nuclear-physics methods in medicine is boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). A key aspect of the effectiveness of BNCT is the production of boron-containing materials with the required concentration and the ability to keep the drug within the tumor. This work presents the results of the initial stage of boron-10 nanoparticle synthesis, which includes the synthesis of submicron particles by milling boron-10 in a planetary ball mill. Solutions of boron-10 in isopropanol with submicron particle sizes of 150–600 nm are obtained. The optimal milling conditions are determined to ensure the required boron-10 concentration and minimize the presence of impurities.