Towards sustainable radiochemistry: Copper radioisotopes production from ZnO target and Gallium radioisotopes recovery from production waste

adiopharmaceuticals labeled with copper radioisotopes have demonstrated significant potential in advancing the theragnostic approach in nuclear medicine [1]. Copper radioisotopes such as copper-61, copper-64, and copper-67 can be efficiently produced via (p,2n) nuclear reaction using medium-low energy cyclotrons (b40 MeV) by irradiating zinc targets enriched in zinc-64, zinc-68, and zinc-70, respectively. While testing the efficiency of the developed technology (target and radiochemistry) by irradiating natZn target with low energy protons (b19 MeV), hundreds of mCi of gallium-66/68 were produced as main contaminants. By adopting a green perspective to minimize waste of potentially valuable byproducts, the gallium radioisotopes were recovered and utilized for research purposes. In parallel, to further support the sustainability of the process, a ZnO recovery protocol was also developed for recycled target production.