Routine production of copper-64 using 11.7MeV protons

Abstract

Reliable production of copper-64 (64Cu) was achieved by irradiating enriched nickel-64 (64Ni, >94.8%) in an IBA 18/9 cyclotron. Nickel-64 (19.1 ± 3.0 mg) was electroplated onto an Au disc (125μm × 15mm). Targets were irradiated with 11.7 MeV protons for 2 hours at 40μA. Copper isotopes (60,61,62,64Cu) were separated from target nickel and cobalt isotopes (55,57,61Co) using a single ion exchange column, eluted with varying concentration of low HCl alcohol solutions. The 64Ni target material was recovered and reused. The 64Cu production rate was 1.46±0.3MBq/μA.hr/mg 64Ni(n=10) (with a maximum of 2.6GBq of 64Cu isolated after 2hr irradiation at 40uA. Radionuclidic purity of the 64Cu was 98.7 ± 1.6 % at end of separation. Cu content was < 6mg/L (n = 21). The specific activity of 64Cu was determined by ICP-MS and by titration with Diamsar to be 28.9±13.0GBq/μmol[0.70±0.35Ci/ μmol]/(μA.hr/mg64Ni)(n=10) and 13.1±12.0GBq/μmol[0. 35±0.32Ci/μmol]/(μA.hr/mg64Ni)(n=9), respectively; which are in agreement, however, further work is required. © 2012 American Institute of Physics.