NUKLEONIKA 2005, 50(3):97-103

Zinc-65 was produced in the Nuclear Research Center for Agriculture and Medicine (NRCAM) by the bombardment of natural copper targets with 30 MeV protons via the ⁶⁵Cu(p,n)⁶⁵Zn nuclear reaction. Natural copper was used instead of enriched ⁶⁵Cu because of the quick decay of undesired radioisotopes. It was also more desirable for cost effectiveness. Cross-section calculations were performed by ALICE nuclear code and the results were compared with the experimental data given in the literature, which showed good agreement. A 160 mm copper layer target was bombarded with a 150 mA current of 30 MeV protons for 20 min, which resulted in 170 MBq activity of ⁶⁵Zn product. The yield was 3.4 MBq/mAh. The concentration of the product was 6.8 MBq/ml. Radiochemical separation was carried out by anion exchange chromatography with the yield of about 98%. Quality control of the final product showed a radionuclide purity of more than 98% and no traces of possible impurities (copper) were detected by a colorimetric method with a 1 ppm detection limit using dithizone as the reagent. The materials used for targetry and chemical separation were quite cost-effective.