Production and performance of a ¹⁷²Hf/¹⁷²Lu generator

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Chemistry
• Radiochemistry
• Isotope Production

Background:

• Development of efficient radionuclide generators is crucial for radiochemistry applications.
• Lutetium-172 (172Lu) is a promising radionuclide for various applications, necessitating reliable production methods.
• Existing methods for 172Lu production require optimization for laboratory-scale use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish and evaluate a 172Hf/172Lu radionuclide generator system for laboratory-scale lutetium-based radiochemistry.
• To investigate different resins for the separation of 172Hf from target material.
• To assess the long-term performance and elution efficiency of the developed generator.

Main Methods:

• 172Hf production via 35.2 MeV proton irradiation of natural lutetium metal foil.
• Evaluation of four different resins (LN, ZR, hydroxamate, methyl-substituted hydroxamate) for 172Hf separation.
• Construction and testing of a ZR resin-based 172Hf/172Lu generator, including multiple elution cycles over two years.

Main Results:

• Four resins showed comparable performance for 172Hf separation.
• A 4.9(3) MBq 172Hf/172Lu generator using ZR resin was successfully created.
• The generator was eluted 49 times over two years with 98(1)% average elution efficiency and no 172Hf breakthrough.
• Eluted 172Lu was used for radiolabeling DOTA with a molar activity of 8(2)x10^2 kBq/nmol.

Conclusions:

• A robust and efficient 172Hf/172Lu radionuclide generator system has been successfully established.
• The developed generator provides a reliable source of 172Lu for laboratory-scale radiochemistry applications.
• The system's long-term stability and high elution efficiency make it suitable for developing lutetium-based radiochemicals.