Routine production of copper-64 using 11.7MeV protons

Reliable production of copper-64 (Cu) was achieved by irradiating enriched nickel64 (Ni, >94.8%) in an IBA 18/9 cyclotron. Nickel-64 (19.1 ± 3.0 mg) was electroplated onto an Au disc (125 m x 15mm). Targets were irradiated with 11.7 MeV protons for 2 hours at 40 A. Copper isotopes (Cu) were separated from target nickel and cobalt isotopes (Co) using a single ion exchange column, eluted with varying concentration of low HCl alcohol solutions. The Ni target material was recovered and reused. The Cu production rate was 1.46 ± 0.3 MBq/ A.hr/mg Ni (n = 10) with a maximum of 2.6GBq of Cu isolated after 2hr irradiation at 40uA. Radionuclidic purity of the Cu was 98.7 ± 1.6 % at end of separation. Cu content was < 6mg/L (n = 21). The specific activity of Cu was determined by ICP-MS and by titration with Diamsar to be 28.9 ± 13.0 GBq/ mol [0.70 ± 0.35 Ci/ mol] /( A.hr/mg Ni) (n = 10) and 13.1 ± 12.0 GBq/ mol [0.35 ± 0.32 Ci/ mol] /( A.hr/mg Ni) (n = 9), respectively; which are in agreement, however, further work is required.