A 3D-printed device for separating short-lived radioisotopes from target ions

The separation of metal radioactive isotopes (RIs) generated in a cyclotron is a crucial process. This report describes the development of a newly designed 3D-printed device for such separation. The 3D-printing fabrication approach offers a cost-effective method for manufacturing single-use devices. The overall separation process involved selective chelate formation, adsorption of the target ion, and finally, UV radiation-induced decomposition of the metal complex. All of these steps are achieved in-line in the developed device. Moreover, this novel system can handle practical solution volumes (approximately 10 mL) containing the dissolved RI and target and is designed to be disposable. The separation performance was evaluated using the following RI/target systems: ⁶⁷Ga/Zn and ⁸⁹Zr/Y. The developed device enables universal separation by changing the chelate formation conditions, i.e., acid concentration. Nearly quantitative RI recoveries are achieved without target contamination, and a highly pure RI solution can be obtained automatically within 30 min. The universal and cost-effective separation device presented herein is therefore suitable for a wide range of RI-related applications.