Simultaneous production of carrier-free 65Zn and 66,67,68Ga in α-particle activated copper target and their separation with TOA

Simultaneous production of carrier-free radioisotopes, 65Zn and 66,67,68Ga, has been achieved by activation of a thick copper target with a 50 MeV α-particle. A liquid-liquid extraction procedure for the effective separation of radionuclides 65Zn and 66,67,68Ga formed, respectively, through the nuclear reactions, (α, pxn) and (α, xn), from the target element has been developed in an aqueous hydrochloric acid medium using a liquid anion exchanger, trioctylamine (TOA), as an extractant. The extent of the separation and purity of the carrier-free radiotracers at different stages of their LLX separation has been verified by taking recourse to γ-ray spectrometry.