Large scale production of Cu-64 and Cu-67 via the Zn-64(n, p)Cu-64 and Zn-68(n, np/d)Cu-67 reactions using accelerator neutrons

Both Cu-64 and Cu-67 are promising radionuclides in nuclear medicine. Production yields of these radionuclides were quantified by irradiating 55.4 g of natural zinc with accelerator neutrons. Clinically suitable Cu-64 and Cu-67 yields were estimated by experimental based numerical simulations using 100 g of enriched Zn-64 and Zn-68, respectively, and elevated neutron fluxes from 40 MeV, 2 mA deuterons. A combined thermal- and resin-separation method was developed to isolate Cu-64 and Cu-67 from zinc, resulting in 73% separation efficiency and 97% zinc recovery. Such methods can provide large scale production of Cu-64 and Cu-67 for clinical applications.