Simultaneous production of high specific activity 64Cu and 61Co with 11.4 MeV protons on enriched 64Ni nuclei

Appl Radiat Isot. 2007 Oct;65(10):1115-20. doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2007.05.012. Epub 2007 Jul 3.

Abstract

The (64)Cu and (61)Co radionuclides were produced simultaneously by irradiation of enriched (64)Ni on a low energy proton-only cyclotron. Nickel targets were prepared by electrodeposition of enriched (64)Ni (>95%) on Au backing at thicknesses of 25-225 mg/cm(2) with efficiencies >99%. Irradiations up to 30 microA for 8h were performed with 11.4 MeV protons using a water-cooled target mounting. Radiochemical separation of (64)Cu and (61)Co from (64)Ni was performed by chromatography of the chlorocomplexes in a single step using an anion exchange resin column with a yield >95%. Using this method, the Ni target material was recovered and re-plated for subsequent production runs with an overall efficiency >96%. The excitation function for the (64)Ni(p,n)(64)Cu reaction was measured and compared with published values. Experimental thick target saturation yields of 159 mCi/microA for (64)Cu and 715 microCi/microA for (61)Co were achieved. Typical specific activities of (64)Cu were found to be 18.8+/-3.3 Ci/micromol.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cobalt Radioisotopes / chemistry*
  • Cobalt Radioisotopes / isolation & purification
  • Copper Radioisotopes / chemistry*
  • Copper Radioisotopes / isolation & purification
  • Cyclotrons
  • Gold / chemistry
  • Isotopes / chemistry
  • Nickel / chemistry
  • Protons
  • Radiochemistry

Substances

  • Cobalt Radioisotopes
  • Copper Radioisotopes
  • Isotopes
  • Protons
  • Gold
  • Nickel