Development of an electrochemical 188W/188Re generator as a technique for separation and purification of 188Re in radiopharmaceutical applications

In this study, a simple electrochemical procedure adaptable for using low specific activity 188W for separation and purification of 188Re from 188W to obtain no carrier added (NCA) 188Re is developed. The electrochemical parameters were optimized to maximize the 188Re electrodeposition yield with minimal 188W contamination. Two cycle electrolysis procedure was developed. The first electrochemical cell was used for separation of 188Re and in the second electrochemical cell, separation and purification of 188Re with >90% deposition yield of 188Re and minimal contamination of 188W (<10−4%) was achieved. The overall electrodeposition yield of 188Re was >90% with >99% radionuclidic purity and >99% radiochemical purity suitable for radiopharmaceutical applications. Furthermore, the performance of the generator remained consistent during a period of 69 days, one half-life of 188W, when the electrochemical separation procedure was performed frequently, at least once in 5 days.