Separation of Ti from proton irradiated scandium by using solid-phase extraction chromatography and design of Ti/Sc generator system.

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, F, due to its favorable decay parameters. One source of Sc is the long-lived parent nuclide Ti (half-life 60.0 a). A Ti/Sc generator would have the ability to provide radionuclidically pure Sc on a daily basis. The production of Ti via the Sc(p,2n) reaction requires high proton beam currents and long irradiation times. Recovery and purification of no-carrier added (nca) Ti 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 Ti/Sc separation system.