Accelerator production of the positron emitter zirconium-89

We here presented a method for zirconium-89 production using a low-energy cyclotron. The half-life of 89Zr (T1/2 = 78.4 h) is suitable for immunoPET. 89Zr was produced via the 89Y(p, n)89Zr nuclear process at 20 μA current and 15 → 5 MeV protons beam (20 min). Yield of about 60.77 MBq 89Zr per μAh was experimentally obtained. Also, excitation functions and theoretical yields via 89Y(p, n)89Zr, 89Y(d, 2n)89Zr, natSr(α, xn)89Zr and 90Zr(n, 2n)89Zr reactions were calculated by EMPIRE (version 3.1 Rivoli), ALICE/ASH (pre-equilibrium and equilibrium) and TALYS-1.26 (direct, pre-equilibrium, and equilibrium) codes and TENDL-2010 database. The obtained results have been discussed and compared with the available experimental data.

► We present a method for zirconium-89 production using a low-energy cyclotron.
► Excitation functions and theoretical yields of 89Zr via several reactions were calculated.
► Deposition of Y2O3 on Cu substrate was carried out via by the sedimentation method.
► Production yield of about 60.77 MBq 89Zr per μA h was experimentally obtained.