Automated production of 64Cu prepared by 18 MeV cyclotron

Abstract

64Cu (T1/2 = 12,7 h, β− 37,1 %, β+ 17,9 %, EC 41 %) is a useful radioisotopes for positron emission tomography radiopharmaceutical. We used the reaction route 64Ni(p,n)64Cu for the 64Cu preparation. A basic disadvantage of this route, a high price of the enriched target material, was eliminated by using very simple recycling procedure. Compact solid target irradiation system was installed at the end of the external beam line of the IBA Cyclone 18/9 cyclotron. In this paper, the irradiation of 64Ni target and separation of 64Cu from a target material is described. The separation was achieved by anion exchange chromatography with HCl as a elution solution. The distribution ratio for different HCl concentrations on Bio-Rad AG1-X8 and elution profile of 64Cu were investigated. 64Cu production rate for 100 mg 64Ni of 99.09 % purity (ISOFLEX) on gold target was 104 MBq/μAh. The activity of the product was checked by ionisation chamber (Curiementor), gamma spectrometry using a HPGe detector and liquid scintillation counting using the triple-to-double coincidence ratio method. The separation process of 64Cu was made in a home-made separation module.