Separation of ⁴⁴Ti from proton irradiated scandium by using solid-phase extraction chromatography and design of...

Scandium-44g (half-life 3.97h [1]) shows promise for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of longer biological processes than that of the current gold standard, ¹⁸F, due to its favorable decay parameters. One source of ^44gSc is the long-lived parent nuclide ⁴⁴Ti (half-life 60.0 a). A ⁴⁴Ti/^44gSc generator would have the ability to provide radionuclidically pure ^44gSc on a daily basis. The production of ⁴⁴Ti via the ⁴⁵Sc(p,2n) reaction requires high proton beam currents and long irradiation times. Recovery and purification of no-carrier added (nca) ⁴⁴Ti from scandium metal targets involves complex separation chemistry. In this study, separation systems based on solid phase extraction chromatography were investigated, including branched diglycolamide (BDGA) resin and hydroxamate based ZR resin. Results indicate that ZR resin in HCl media represents an effective ⁴⁴Ti/^44gSc separation system.