Multi Copper and Gallium Radioisotopes Production by Irradiation of ZnO Target via Medical Cyclotron

Copper radioisotopes, such as copper-61, copper-64, and copper-67, are gaining increasing relevance in nuclear medicine due to their versatile decay properties, suitable for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Our study investigated their production via proton irradiation of enriched zinc oxide (ZnO) targets. Specifically, 61Cu can be produced via the (p,α) reaction on a 64Zn target in the energy range of 10-20 MeV, 64Cu through the 68Zn(p,nα) reaction in the range of 20-40 MeV, and 67Cu through the 70Zn(p,α) reaction in the range of 10-70 MeV. Interestingly, gallium radioisotopes, also of medical relevance, emerged as significant by-products during the irradiation process. From these observations arises the idea of developing a multiradioisotope production method through ZnO irradiation. Based on this, a Zn/Cu separation method was developed to enable the recovery of both gallium and copper radioisotopes. In addition, a protocol was developed and applied to recover ZnO from waste, enabling target recycling.