Research & Teaching Faculty

Improved separation scheme for 44Sc produced by irradiation of natCa targets with 12.8 MeV protons

TitleImproved separation scheme for 44Sc produced by irradiation of natCa targets with 12.8 MeV protons
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2022
AuthorsKurakina, ES, Wharton, L, Hoehr, C, Orvig, C, Magomedbekov, EP, Filosofov, D, Radchenko, V
JournalNucl. Med. Biol.
Volume104-105
Pagination22-27
Date Published11/2021
ISSN0969-8051
KeywordsCation exchange, DGA, Irradiation of natural Ca, Radiochemical separation, radiolabeling, Sc
Abstract

Introduction 44Sc is of great interest as a positron emission tomography (PET) radionuclide due to its suitable nuclear characteristics: Eβ+max = 1.47MeV, branching ratio 94.3% and convenient half-life of 3.97 h. Here, 44Sc was produced via the widely used reaction 44Ca (p,n)44Sc using natural calcium as a target. Methods The irradiation was performed at TRIUMF using the 13 MeV cyclotron. The separation consisted of a combination of DGA branched resin and Dowex 50Wx8 (200–400 mesh). The distribution coefficients of Sc3+ on Dowex 50Wx8 (NH4+ form, 200–400 mesh) with ammonium α-hydroxyisobutyrate (pH = 4.8) medium were determined in this study. Results and conclusion The tested scheme allows both a reliable separation of 44Sc from the target material as well as from the other competitive metals and a final fraction with high specific activity. The achieved radiochemical yield was 95 ± 3%.

URLhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0969805121005102
DOI10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2021.11.002
Refereed DesignationRefereed