Production of low and high specific activity 64Cu in a reactor

Production of Copper-64 (Cu-64) by irradiating copper and zinc metals in a reactor was evaluated. Low specific activity Cu-64 can be easily produced using thermal neutrons via Cu-63 (n,gamma) Cu-64 reaction, while use of fast neutrons are mandatory for high specific activity Cu-64 via Zn-64 (n,p) Cu-64 reaction. Natural copper and zinc targets were irradiated in Pakistan Research Reactor-1. Radionuclidic impurities produced by thermal and fast neutrons were determined. Commonly available organic anion exchange resin (AG 1-X8) was used for the separation of no-carrier-added radiocopper from neutron irradiated zinc. More than 95% Cu-64,Cu-67 was recovered. The radionuclidic and chemical purity of Cu-64 was determined. The specific activity of Cu-64 produced by Cu-63 (n,gamma) and Zn-64 (n,p) was compared.