Proton-induced production and radiochemical isolation of 44Ti from scandium metal targets for 44Ti/44Sc generator development

Scandium-44g (half-life 3.97h) shows promise for application in positron emission tomography (PET), due to favorable decay parameters. One of the sources of 44gSc is the 44Ti/44gSc generator, which can conveniently provide this radioisotope on a daily basis at a diagnostic facility. Titanium-44 (half-life 60.0 a), in turn, can be obtained via proton irradiation of scandium metal targets. A substantial 44Ti product batch, however, requires high beam currents, long irradiation times and an elaborate chemical procedure for 44Ti isolation and purification.

Source: Nuclear Medicine and Biology - April 7, 2017 Category: Nuclear Medicine Authors: Valery Radchenko, Jonathan W. Engle, Dmitri G. Medvedev, Joel M. Maassen, Cleo M. Naranjo, George A. Unc, Catherine A.L. Meyer, Tara Mastren, Mark Brugh, Leonard Mausner, Cathy S. Cutler, Eva R. Birnbaum, Kevin D. John, F. Meiring Nortier, Michael E. Fass Source Type: research