Separation of Sc and Ti using cation exchange resin

In Brazil, 704 thousand new cancer diagnoses are projected annually during the period of 2023 to 2025, with other studies suggesting a potential 42% increase in cancer cases. This poses challenges for patients, health care systems, and society and early diagnosis accompanied by treatment significantly reduces mortality rates. The early diagnosis and treatment can be achieved with the assistance of theranostic radionuclides. Among them, ⁴⁷Sc has gained prominence in recent years due to its excellent nuclear properties, including its 3.35 days of half-life, β^- energy of 162 keV, suitable for targeted therapy in small tumors, and γ energy of 159 keV, suitable for imaging. One method of obtaining ⁴⁷Sc is through nuclear reactors via the reaction: ⁴⁷Ti (n,p) ⁴⁷Sc. The chemical behavior of Sc is like that of yttrium and lanthanides. Therefore, its purification can be achieved through chromatographic separations, such as ion exchange or extraction techniques. Resins like AG50W-X8, TRU, DGA, or UTEVA are commonly used for this purpose. The objective of this study is to verify the feasibility of separating Ti and Sc using DOWEX 50 W-X8 resin. The separation yield was determined using instrumental neutron activation analysis, INAA. (author)