Production of 57Co, 109Cd, 111In and 117mSn using CV-28 Cyclotron at IPEN-CNEN/SP

This work describes the production of 57Co, 109Cd, 111In and 117mSn, very important radioisotopes applied in several areas, using the CV-28 Cyclotron at IPEN-CNEN/SP. 57Co (t1/2 = 271.3 d) and 109Cd (t1/2 = 462.6 d) were obtained through the reactions natNi(p,xn)57Co and 109Ag(p,n)109Cd. The mean thick target yields for 57Co were 346.69kBq/μA.h (9.37μCi/μA.h), for the direct production and 150.59kBq/μA.h (4.07μCi/μA.h), through the decay of 57Ni (11.31 days after EOB - End of Bombardment). A flood source was filled with 222MBq (6mCi) of 57Co prepared by a chemical separation method with a separation yield of 93%. A composite target of Ni and Ag was prepared and a chemical separation method proposed to allow the separation between the targets and 57Co and 109Cd. The yields of the composite target were: 947.94kBq/μA.h (25.62μCi/μA.h) of 57Co - direct reaction, 259.00kBq/μA.h (7μCi/μA.h) of 57Co - indirect reaction and 71.41kBq/μA.h (1.93μCi/μA.h) of 109Cd. The chemical separation yield was 80% for 57Co and 109Cd. 111In (t1/2 = 67.5 h) was produced by the 112Cd(p,2n)111In reaction. The Cd targets were prepared by electroplating of CdSO4 solution in copper and copper/nickel backings. After being irradiated, a chemical separation was performed by an acetic acid extraction method, with an overall recovery yield for 111In higher than 95%. The level of the chemical impurities Cd, Ni and Cu were bellow than the permissible values. 117mSn (t1/2 = 14 d) was prepared by the nuclear reactions natSn(p,xn)117Sb →117mSn. The production thick target yield of 117mSn was 784.4kBq/μA.h (21.20μCi/μA.h) and with the proper decay time of its precursor, 117Sb, no radionuclidic impurities appeared in the final product. A chemical separation method was developed to separate first 117Sb from the irradiated Tin and then 117mSn from Sb with a good chemical yield. The quality control procedures showed the good quality of the 117mSn. (author)