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

Both 64 Cu and 67 Cu 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 64 Cu and 67 Cu yields were estimated by experimental based numerical simulations using 100 g of enriched 64 Zn and 68 Zn, respectively, and elevated neutron fluxes from 40 MeV, 2 mA deuterons. A combined thermal- and resin-separation method was developed to isolate 64 Cu and 67 Cu from zinc, resulting in 73% separation efficiency and 97% zinc recovery. Such methods can provide large scale production of 64 Cu and 67 Cu for clinical applications.