A facile method for electrochemical separation of ^181−186Re from proton irradiated natural tungsten oxide target

Highlights: • ^181−186Re radioisotopes were produced by proton bombardment on natural tungsten oxide target. • Anelectrochemical separation process based on selective deposition of Re on platinum electrode was developed. • The Re radioisotopes free from tungsten impurities could be obtained with >80% yield in normal saline medium. • The suitability of Re radioisotopes for preparation of radiopharmaceuticals was demonstrated. - Abstract: Routine availability of high specific activity ¹⁸⁶Re would provide a significant boost to the development of potent theranostic radiopharmaceuticals. In the present study, ^181−186Re was produced by proton bombardment (12 MeV, average beam intensity 180 nΑ) for 60 h on natural tungsten oxide target. A facile electrochemical method has been developed for radiochemical separation of Re radioisotopes from irradiated target material. The overall yield of the process was >80% and Re radioisotopes could be separated in a form suitable for preparation of radiopharmaceuticals.