Development of cost effective method for production of 64Cu from natNi

Abstract

A natNi foil was used for the production of 64Cu via 64Ni(p,n)64Cu nuclear reaction when the necessary investment for target material (350 mg) is 50 times less using the natNi instead of 64Ni. The produced 32.2 ± 1.8 MBq of “no carrier added” 64Cu is sufficient for 10 mice trials on small animal PET. The radionuclide contamination was <13 ± 12 kBq for 55Co and 4 ± 2 kBq for 57Ni comparing to minimum detectable activity and only 52 ± 2 kBq of 61Cu was in 64Cu due to the modified ion exchange separation. The concentration of Fe(III) was maintained under 1.7 ppm by precipitation and filtering of Fe(OH)3 due to the chemical purity was required.