Abstract

Copper-64 (t1/2 = 12.7 h) is a promising cancer treatment radiotherapy agent and combines positron emission tomography (PET). It was produced utilizing the 64Ni(p,n)64Cu nuclear reaction channel. Natural nickel was electroplated successfully, 48 μM thick, onto a gold-coated copper backing slab. Bombardment of nickel plated target was performed with 16 MeV protons at a current of 200 μA. Copper-64 together with copper-61 was separated from Ni and other non-isotopic impurities by ion exchange chromatography. The method of separation of radiocopper has been improved. © by Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag.