Feasibility study of production of radioactive carbon black or carbon nanotubes in cyclotron facilities for nanobioscience applications

A feasibility study regarding the production of radioactive carbon black and nanotubes has been performed by proton beam irradiation. Experimental and theoretical excitation functions of the nuclear reaction natC(p,x)7Be in the proton energy range 24–38 MeV are reported, with an acceptable agreement. We have demonstrated that sufficient activities of 7Be radioisotope can be produced in carbon black and nanotube that would facilitate studies of their possible impact on human and environment.

► We measured the excitation functions of the reaction natC(p,x)7Be in the energy range 24–38  MeV.
► We calculated the excitation functions of the reaction natC(p,x)7Be in the energy range 24–38  MeV.
► We assessed the thick target yield of the reaction natC(p,x)7Be.
► We reported results on the radiolabeling yields of carbon black and nanotubes with Beryllium 7.