Radiochemical separation of no-carrier-added Lu-177 as produced via the Yb-176(n,gamma)Yb-177 -> Lu-177 process

The Yb-176(n,y)Yb-177-beta(-)-->Lu-177 process was investigated to provide no-carrier-added (nca) Lu-177. Th, radiochemical separation of the Lu-177 F rom the macro-amounts of the ytterbium target based on the cementation proc ess, i.e, the selective extraction of Yb by Na(Hg) amalgam from Cl-/CH3COO- electrolytes, followed by a final cation exchange purification. The cement ation separation process provides a decontamination factor of Yb(III) of 10 (4), the cation exchange purification adding a decontamination factor of >1 0(2). The nea Lu-177 is available in radiochemically pure form despite the chemical similarity of the lanthanides with 75 +/- 5% overall separation yi eld within 4-5 h. It can be used to synthesise nea Lu-177 labelled radiothe rapeuticals. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.