A method of accumulating radium radionuclides, comprising providing a first solution including thorium radionuclides and a thorium-binding extractant, wherein the first solution does not bind to radium, allowing a portion of the thorium radionuclides in the first solution to decay into radium atoms and collecting radium atoms resulting from the decay. The collected radium atoms may be included in a solution in which brachytherapy sources are dipped, in a manner which collects the radium atoms onto the source.

A method of accumulating radium radionuclides, comprising providing a first solution including thorium radionuclides and a thorium-binding extractant, wherein the first solution does not bind to radium, allowing a portion of the thorium radionuclides in the first solution to decay into radium atoms and collecting radium atoms resulting from the decay. The collected radium atoms may be included in a solution in which brachytherapy sources are dipped, in a manner which collects the radium atoms onto the source.

A radiotherapy source includes a base suitable for radiotherapy, a manganese oxide coating over the base, and radium atoms attached to the manganese oxide coating. The manganese oxide coating may comprise manganese dioxide (MnO.sub.2), manganese (II) oxide (MnO), manganese (II,III) oxide (Mn.sub.3O.sub.4) and/or other manganese oxides. Methods for producing radiotherapy sources are also disclosed.

A radiotherapy source includes a base suitable for radiotherapy, a manganese oxide coating over the base, and radium atoms attached to the manganese oxide coating. The manganese oxide coating may comprise manganese dioxide (MnO.sub.2), manganese (II) oxide (MnO), manganese (II,III) oxide (Mn.sub.3O.sub.4) and/or other manganese oxides. Methods for producing radiotherapy sources are also disclosed.