Optimizing temperature conditions for efficient Zn/Cu thermal separation in Cu production

Takashima, Naoki*; Kawabata, Masako*; Ota, Akio*; Motoishi, Shoji*; Saeki, Hideya*; Nagai, Yasuki*; Koguchi, Yasuhiro*; Hashimoto, Kazuyuki; Fujino, Shunsuke; Ito, Masatoshi*; Kikunaga, Hidetoshi*; Tsukada, Kazuaki*

Cu and Cu are gaining attention as promising radionuclides for theranostics, which can be used for both therapy and diagnosis. We have developed a method for producing Cu and Cu by irradiating metallic Zn and Zn, respectively, with neutrons generated by an accelerator, followed by purification of the Cu and Cu using thermal and resin-separation methods. By taking advantage of the difference in vapor pressure between Zn and Cu, Zn can be sublimated orvaporized to isolate Cu under vacuum. In practice, it is possible to produce Cu with minimal radioactive Zn by using enriched Zn, however the challenge remains to separate Cu in high yields without monitoring the Zn tracer. In this study, the behavior of Cu and Zn was evaluated under different heating temperature conditions, aiming to improve the separation efficiency of Cu, and automate the separation process for practical use.